EP0665995A4 - Unipolar series resonant converter. - Google Patents

Abstract

A high efficiency static series resonant converter and method for converting power between two electric AC and/or DC circuits includes a resonant tank coupled to a link current synthesizer for generating a train of unipolar link current pulses with controllable duration zero and nonzero current segments. A blocking switch deactivates oscillation of the resonant tank in initiating each link current pulse, which is subsequently clamped by a buffer inductor. Each pulse is terminated by natural commutation through resonant oscillation. The pulses are substantially squarewave and have a high duty cycle leading to minimal peak current values. Minimal switching losses are incurred by switching at substantially zero voltage and zero current. Other features include blackout ride-through capability, bi-directional four quadrant operation, unbalanced load operation, voltage step-up without transformers, and input and output switch assemblies constructed from unidirectional switches, such as low-cost and robust single thyristors.

Description

UNIPOLAR SERIES RESONANT CONVERTER Background of the Invention The present invention relates generally to a static power converter, and a method of exchanging energy and converting power between two electric power circuits, such as a utility grid and a load, and more particularly to a unipolar series resonant converter for use in a high power, multi-kilowatt system for providing direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC) output power from either an AC or a DC power source.

Typically, converters are used to couple an electric load with a power source. For exanφle, converters are used with uninterruptible power supplies, arc furnaces, and induction motor drives. During operation, the converters and their loads generate harmful harmonic currents which can cause voltage spikes on the power utility grid. These spikes can damage the equipment of other customers receiving power from the utility. Computers are especially vulnerable to damage from voltage spikes caused by these harmonic currents.

Filters are often used between the utility grid and the converter, as well as between the converter and the load, but filters are very expensive, both in terms of initial installation and operating costs. For exanφle, a five horsepower induction motor may cost $150, whereas the converter costs $2,000 and the filters $1,000. Thus, engineers have focused on improving converter designs to decrease the initial cost of an induction motor drive installation. A variety of earlier resonant converters are described in various patents and publications, such as the textbook by Mohan, Undeland and Robbins: Power Electronics: Converters. Applications and Design. (John Wiley & Sons, 1989), pages 154-200.

Basically, a traditional resonant converter has input and output switch assemblies coupled together by at least one resonant circuit or "resonant tank. " Filters are often coupled to the input and output switch assemblies. The switch assemblies are groups of semiconductor switches, such as (listed in order of increasing cost) diodes, thyristors, gate-assisted tumoff thyristors (GATTs), gate turn off thyristors (GTOs), insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs), and metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs).

The resonant circuit of a traditional resonant converter facilitates what has come to be known as "soft switching." In soft switching, the semiconductors are switched at substantially zero current, termed "zero current switching" (ZCS), or at substantially zero voltage, called "zero voltage switching" (ZVS), or with a combination of ZCS and ZVS. As a result, lower switching losses are incurred during soft switching than in traditional "hard" switching schemes, and such low switching losses facilitate faster switching (on the order of 20 kHz, as opposed to one kilohertz with hard switching). Thus, significantly higher switching frequencies are achieved in resonant converters.

The high frequency soft switching capability of resonant converters is often exploited to minimize harmonic distortion of voltage and current waveforms at both the input and output of the converter. High frequency soft switching also dispenses with the need for bulky and expensive low order harmonic filters. Moreover, the size and weight of magnetic and electrostatic components associated with the power electronic energy conversion process are also reduced.

There are many kinds of resonant converters, particularly at the low end of the power spectrum, for exanφle, a few hundred watts or less. However, in high power multi-kilowatt applications, less options are available to the converter designer in the way of devices and sophisticated circuit topologies. Thus, it is more difficult to design a low cost high power converter capable of running at high conversion efficiency.

Two classes of high power resonant converters have demonstrated some success, specifically:

1. Series resonant converters, and

2. Parallel resonant converters.

A combination of these classes has been proposed as well. The fundamental difference between these two converter classes is the manner in which power is transferred through the converter to the load. For a parallel resonant converter, the load terminals are in parallel with a resonant capacitor within the resonant tank. For a series resonant converter, the load terminals are in series with the resonant tank capacitor. In either the series or parallel resonant converters, the load may be coupled either directly to the resonant capacitor, or indirectly through switches and other storage elements. Conceptionally, the resonant circuit serves as a link between the input and output of the converter. The resonant circuit is controlled to generate a train of pulses which may have constant or varying pulse and cycle widths. The fundamental frequency of these pulses, defined herein as the "link frequency," is chosen to be significantly higher than the frequency of the input and output voltages or currents. The converter receives the input power at an input frequency, and converts the input power into a train of pulses, defined herein as the

"link power. " This link power is then converted again to obtain the output power at a selected output frequency. Either the input power, the output power, or both may be DC power (that is, power having currents and voltages with zero frequency).

The different topologies of the earlier resonant converters use different kinds of semiconductors. The lowest cost semiconductors are robust controlled rectifiers, also known as thyristors. Thyristors are useful for resonant converters only if two operating conditions are met, specifically, if:

1. Current flowing through the device is turned off by natural commutation; and 2. The device is subjected to a sufficient back bias voltage for a sufficient duration (turn off time). Thyristors are unsuitable in high power resonant converters if the link frequency is so high that the device turn off time leads to an unacceptable duty cycle of the link current or voltage pulses. However, today's thyristors have a frequency ceiling beyond the audible frequency range (about 20 Khz), and are acceptable for most high power applications if the two operating conditions above are met. If either condition is not satisfied, then the more expensive controllable turn off switches such as GTOs, power MOSFETs and IGBTs must be used. As opposed to thyristors which only have a controllable turn on time, the GTOs, MOSFETs and IGBTs all have both controllable turn on and turn off times, activated by simply applying and removing gate driver signals.

In parallel resonant converters, the link pulse train is usually formed by unipolar (or unidirectional) voltage pulses, and usually requires controllable turn off switches which are turned off at substantially zero switch voltage. An exanφle of such a parallel resonant converter is described in the 1989 U.S. Patent No. 4,864,483 to Divan.

In series resonant converters, the link pulse train is formed by either AC or unipolar (unidirectional) current pulses. Several conventional series resonant converters employing AC link current pulses, are disclosed in the following U.S. Patent Nos.: 3,953,779 to Schwarz (1976)

4,096,557 to Schwarz (1978)

4,495,555 to Eikelboom (1985)

4,523,269 to Baker et al. (1985)

4,648,017 to Nerone (1987) 4,679, 129 to Sakakibara et al. (1987)

4,695,933 to Nguyen (1987)

4,727,469 to Kammiller (1988)

4,853,832 to Stuart (1989)

The more expensive controllable turn off switches (e.g. GTOs, IGBTs), are not needed because the link pulses are current pulses which cause the thyristors to turn off at substantially zero current, a performance characteristic known as "natural commutation." To accommodate the flow of these AC link current pulses, both the input and output switch assemblies must consist of bi-directional switches, such as two antiparallel coupled thyristors. For exanφle, such a series resonant converter designed for three phase AC input and output with regenerative capability, requires twelve pairs of antiparallel switches. A significant improvement was invented by Klaassens and Lauw, as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,010,471. By roughly doubling the peak value of the AC link current through the conventional series resonant converter, Klaassens and Lauw replace the full bridge configuration of the input and output switch assemblies with a half bridge configuration. The resulting Klaassens/Lauw converter needs only half the number of switches of a conventional full bridge series resonant converter, whether considering bi-directional or antiparallel pairs of unidirectional switches.

Because series resonant converters employing AC link current pulses use bi-directional switches, or antiparallel pairs of unidirectional switches, saturable inductors must be inserted in series with each switch. The saturable inductors avoid the well known dv/dt turn on disturbances of thyristors, i.e. unscheduled thyristor turn on caused by an excessive rate of change of the anode to cathode voltage. The high number of saturable inductors, as well as the usual parallel capacitive snubbers, both increase the cost, size and volume of the converter. Furthermore, these saturable inductors force the designer to use switches with a higher reverse blocking voltage capability. The designer must also increase the minimum duration of the idle segment of the link current pulse beyond the turn off time as specified by the thyristor manufacturer. Another drawback are the losses incurred during turn on of the switches. These turn on losses occur because the voltages across the switches are not substantially zero when current begins to flow through the switches.

In U.S. Patent No. 4,942,511 to Lipo and Murai propose a DC link series resonant converter which employs unipolar (unidirectional) link current pulses, rather than AC link current pulses. The Lipo/Murai converter provides a DC current bias to the resonant current pulses. Since the link currents are unipolar, only unidirectional switches are needed. Thus, like the Klaassens/Lauw half bridge series resonant converter, the Lipo/Murai converter only requires half the number of unidirectional switches as needed by conventional series resonant converters. In the Lipo/Murai converter, even though each pulse cycle of the link current returns to zero naturally, the thyristors of the unidirectional switches are not exposed to a firm back bias voltage. This condition forces the thyristors to be kept at zero current for a duration longer than the manufacturer-specified turn off time. Thus, the Lipo/Murai converter violates the second thyristor operating condition (2) mentioned above. As a result, when compared with a conventional series resonant converter (for equal pulse cycle width and average values over the entire pulse cycle), the Lipo/Murai converter must generate link current pulses with a significantly higher peak value. The other option for the Lipo/Murai converter is to use the more expensive controlled turn off switches, rather than thyristors.

In spite of the superior performance of soft switching series resonant converters over converters employing hard switching circuitry, there still is a need for crucial improvements to series resonant converter technology. For example, one of the most critical barriers to the commercial success of series resonant converters is that the link current pulses must have extremely high peak values. Depending on the type of series resonant converter used, the peak value of the link current pulses may reach three to nine times the peak value of the maximum output current demanded by the load.

This phenomena of high link current pulse peaks stems from the use of sinusoidal current pulses which are generated entirely through resonant oscillation of the resonant circuit. One solution is proposed by Murai, Nakamura, Lipo and Aydemir in the article,

"Pulse-split Concept in Series Resonant DC link Power Conversion for Induction Motor Drives," submitted to the Industrial Application Society Meeting of 1991. Lipo and Murai attempted to improve the converter circuitry by modifying the waveform of the link current pulses as described in their U.S. Patent No. 4,942,511. The Lipo/Murai converter uses a saturable reactor with a biasing current to limit the peak value of the resonant current pulses. However, the Lipo/Murai converter still causes the thyristors to be operated in violation of the second condition mentioned above, that is, the thyristors are not subjected to a sufficient back bias voltage for a sufficient duration. As a result, the use of thyristors for Lipo/Murai's converter still leads to an excessive ratio of the peak value and average value of the link current pulses. Since the link current is still too high, the Lipo/Murai converter is very expensive because the converter price is directly proportional to the link current value.

U.S. Patent No. 4,477,868 to Steigerwald discloses another type of series resonant converter which limits the peak value of the link current pulses to moderate values. However, the Steigerwald converter is unfortunately restricted to nonregenerative applications, and only DC input and output power. Moreover, the Steigerwald converter expects the input power to behave as a current source. The Steigerwald converter uses expensive controllable turn off switches (GTOs), rather than thyristors, to convert the DC input current waveform into alternating square waves.

In summary, there are three main types of converters. First came the general linear mode converters, which suffered very high switching losses. Second, resonant converters were developed for high power applications, such as the Schwarz converters. The resonant converters relied on resonant circuits to reduce switching losses, but they still suffered from high peak current losses. The Lipo/Murai resonant unipolar converter falls in this category. Third, quasiresonant converters were developed to take advantage of the best characteristics of both linear and resonant converters, such as the parallel resonant converter developed by Divan. These earlier quasiresonant converters required many expensive controllable turn off switches. Thus, a need exists for an improved series resonant converter and method of exchanging energy and converting power between single phase, three phase, and/or DC power sources and/or loads, which is directed toward overcoming, and not susceptible to, the above limitations and disadvantages.

Summary of the Invention According to one aspect of the present invention, a unipolar series resonant converter is provided for exchanging energy and converting power between first and second circuits. The unipolar series resonant converter of the present invention belongs to the class of quasiresonant converters. This converter includes first and second switch assemblies for coupling to the respective first and second circuits. The converter has a resonant tank coupled between the first and second switch assemblies. The resonant tank has a resonant capacitor and a resonant inductor coupled in series. A link current synthesizer is coupled to the resonant capacitor. The synthesizer is responsive to a synthesizer control signal for generating a link current conφrising a train of unipolar link current pulses. Each link current pulse has zero and nonzero current segments. The zero and nonzero current segments of each link current pulse are controllable in duration. The converter also has a blocking switch in series with the resonant capacitor for deactivating oscillation of the resonant tank in initiating each unipolar link current pulse. The converter also has a link current buffer device coupled to the synthesizer for limiting a peak value of the link current to a selected value during energy exchange. According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of converting power between first and second circuits is provided. The method includes the step of synthesizing a link current comprising a train of substantially squarewave unipolar link current pulses which are initiated and terminated through resonant oscillations, with each pulse having a zero amplitude segment and a nonzero amplitude segment. In a controlling step, the duration of zero amplitude segment and the nonzero amplitude segment of each link current pulse are controlled to selected values.

According to further aspects of the present invention, a link current synthesizer is provided, as well as a controller for controlling switches of a unipolar series resonant converter as described above. It is an overall objective of this invention to provide an improved series resonant converter which is economically competitive with earlier static power converters while maintaining attractive features of series resonant converters, such as bi-directional and four quadrant operation, power transfer from lower to higher voltages (step up mode), generation of balanced sinusoidal output voltages insensitive to unbalanced loading, and tolerance to dynamic changes of supply voltages.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a series resonant converter for converting DC power or AC power, whether single phase or poly phase, efficiently into DC power, or single phase or poly phase AC power.

A further object of the present invention is tc provide an improved method of converting power between two electric circuits, such as a utility grid and a load having regeneration capability.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a series resonant converter, and a method of converting power between two circuits, which minimizes switching losses of all switches used in the converter. Yet another objective of this invention is to provide a series resonant converter, and a method of converting power between two circuits, which flexibly controls the link current pulse height, width and cycle width.

Still another objective of this invention is to provide a series resonant converter which maintains high efficiency when operating at less than full load conditions. The present invention relates to the above features and objects individually as well as collectively. These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description and drawings. Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of one form of a unipolar series resonant converter of the present invention illustrated in a three phase AC to AC implementation with bi-directional, four quadrant operation. FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of one form of a unipolar cross type series resonant converter of the present invention illustrated in a three phase, four wire, AC to AC implementation with bi-directional, four quadrant operation.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of one form of a unipolar series resonant converter of the present invention illustrated in a single phase DC or AC input and three phase AC output implementation with bi-directional, four quadrant operation.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of one form of a unipolar series resonant converter of the present invention illustrated for three phase AC to AC operation with a diode bridge which may be removed for unidirectional DC to AC operation.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of one form of an alternate link current synthesizer of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of one form of a controller for the unipolar series resonant converter of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a series of graphs showing waveforms associated with the converter illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, including the gate signal timing logic for the converter switches, and showing Z-mode, I-mode, F-mode and T-mode converter operational states.

FIGS. 8-16 are schematic diagrams of the link current synthesizer of FIGS. 1-4, with the current path shown in heavy black lines during the times shown in FIG. 7 for the following converter modes of operation:

FIG. 8 shows a steady Zς-mode at tø; FIG. 9 shows a transitional 2_,-mode (t_j to t^);

FIG. 10 shows a transitional Z_l-mode at t2_ FIG. 11 shows an I-mode (t₄ to ); FIG. 12 shows an F_s steady mode (t₅ to tg); FIG. 13 shows an F, transitional mode (tg to t₇); FIG. 14 shows an F_t transitional mode at t₇;

FIG. 15 shows an F, transitional mode (t₇ to tg);

FIG. 16 shows a T-mode at to.

FIG. 17 is a schematic block diagram of one form of an output voltage error detector portion of the FIG. 6 controller, shown for operation as an adjustable voltage source, and as an adjustable current source.

FIG. 18 is a schematic block diagram of one form of an input voltage error detector portion of the controller of FIG. 6.

FIG. 19 is a series of graphs showing waveforms associated with the converter illustrated in FIG. 1, showing the line to line output voltage, and the link current pulses.

FIG. 20 is a schematic block diagram of one form of a double sided and non-dissipative voltage clamp of the present invention which may be used in any of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-4. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a unipolar series resonant converter 22 constructed in accordance with the present invention for exchanging energy between first and second electric circuits 24 and 25. The circuits 24 and 25 may be: a power source, such as a utility power grid, an industrial power grid, or and on-board system grid for vehicles, aircraft, ships and the like; an energy storage device; or a load having regeneration capability.

For the purposes of discussion, the first circuit 24 is assumed to be a grid, and the second circuit 25 is assumed to be a load which may be capable of power regeneration. In the converter 22 embodiment, both the first and second circuits 24 and 25 are polyphase, here three phase, AC circuits. Other embodiments discussed beiow illustrate the converter's versatility to also efficiently convert single phase AC power, as well as DC power, also known as "zero frequency" AC power. Definitions

The term "unipolar" refers to the direction of link current pulses flowing through the converter 22, which all flow in the same direction, irrespective of the direction of power flow, to satisfy power balance equations for the converter 22. The pulses may be routed to be positive or negative at the first and second electric circuits 24 and 25 as required to track a selected reference. This process is referred to herein as "routing of the unipolar link current pulses. " It is apparent that transferring power over time between the first and second circuits 24 and 25 is equivalent to exchanging energy therebetween. Regarding the terminology used herein, the characters "L" and "C" are used with various subscripts to denote inductors and capacitors, respectively. The preferred embodiment of this invention is implemented with three types of switches, indicated by the characters: "D" for diodes, "T" for thyristors, and "S" for controllable turn off switches, each provided with subscripts to refer to the particular switches. A controllable turn off switch is defined as a switch which may be controlled to turn on and off by respectively applying and removing their gate driver signals, such as a bipolar junction transistor, gate turn off thyristor (GTO), insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT), and metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET), or their structural equivalents known to those skilled in the art.

It is apparent that the thyristors illustrated in the preferred embodiment may be replaced with controllable turn off switches with a few modifications where required. For example, for a MOSFET or an IGBT, the reverse current flow through the switch may be blocked, and excessive back bias voltage across the switch prevented, by connecting, for instance, a diode in series with the switch. Such an additional diode is not required if the illustrated thyristors are replaced with GTOs. Although the turn off time of thyristors is slower than controllable turn off switches, thyristors are preferred over more expensive controllable turn off switches of the same rating to provide a more economical converter 22. First Embodiment The unipolar series resonant converter 22 is first discussed assuming a power flow direction from the first circuit 24 as an input toward the second circuit 25 as an output. However, the converter 22 may also be operated to accommodate power flow in the reverse direction, and thus, is classified as a bi-directional converter. The converter 22 includes first and second terminating capacitor assemblies forming low pass filters 26 and 28 for isolating the high frequency link current pulses from circuits 24 and 25. The filters 26 and 28 are coupled in parallel to the respective circuits 24 and 25. The first filter 26 has three line to line C_A capacitors 30, 32 and 34, while the second filter 28 has three line to line Cg capacitors 35, 36 and 38.

A first switch assembly 40 has a three phase bank of thyristors T_A12, T^_j, ^~Α3l_> T_Ai2, T_A22 and T^ labeled 41, 42, 43, 44, 45 and 46, respectively. A second switch assembly 50 has a three phase bank of thyristors T_B12, T_B21, Trø_j, T_B12, T_B22 and T^ labeled 51, 52, 53, 55, 55 and 56, respectively. Here, the first switch assembly 40 is also referred to as the input switch assembly, and the second assembly 50 as the output switch assembly. The input and output switch assemblies 40 and 50 do not require bi-directional switches, such as pairs of antiparallel thyristors or pairs of anti-series controllable turn off switches, as required in the earlier conventional series resonant converters. Advantageously, the thyristor construction of the switching assemblies 40 and 50 requires fewer thyristors than the earlier converters, so the converter 22 may be manufactured more economically than these earlier converters.

The converter 22 has a resonating circuit or resonance tank 60 coupled in series between the switch assemblies 40 and 50. The resonance tank 60 has an LR resonant inductor 62 and a C_R resonant capacitor 64. A link current i_R flows from the first switch assembly 40 to the second switch assembly through the resonance tank 60, and conductors 65 and 66, with a return path provided by conductor 68. The filters 26 and 28 substantially prevent any high frequency component of the link current i_R from penetrating the input and output lines of the first and second circuits 24 and 25. The voltage at the output terminals of the first switch assembly 40, across conductors 65 and 68, is referred to as bus voltage v_A. The voltage at the input terminals of the second switch assembly 50, across conductors 66 and 68, is referred to as bus voltage v_B. The converter 22 includes a link current synthesizer 70 for synthesizing the link current i_R to be a train of unipolar current pulses (see FIG. 7), with each pulse including a controllable zero current segment and a controllable non zero current segment having a clamped portion, as described further below. For convenience, the illustrated synthesizer 70 is labeled with a plurality of nodes 72, 74, 75, 76 and 78. The synthesizer 70 is coupled across the CR resonant capacitor 64 and a blocking switch, such as a controllable T_R resonance terminating switch or blocking thyristor SO. The T_R blocking thyristor 80 couples the C_R resonant capacitor 64 with conductor 66.

The link current synthesizer 70 has a D_j. terminating diode 82 coupled between the junction of the C_R capacitor 64 with the T_R thyristor 80, and node 78 of the synthesizer 70. The link current synthesizer 70 has a non-dissipative terminating device, such as an

L . terminating inductor 84, which is in series with a T_τ terminating thyristor 86 between nodes 76 and 78. The synthesizer 70 has two controllable turn off switches, an S, initiating switch 88 coupled between nodes 72 and 76, and an S_B buffer switch 90 coupled between nodes 72 and 74. Another non-dissipative device of synthesizer 70 is a link element L_j initiating inductor 92, which is in series with a D_B buffer diode 94 coupled between nodes 74 and 75. Node 75 is coupled to the junction of conductor 66 and the T_R thyristor 80.

The converter 22 includes a non-dissipative g link current clamping or buffering device, such as a current buffer inductor 95, coupled to nodes 72 and 75 of the synthesizer 70. An i_B buffering current flows through the inductor 95, and is monitored by a buffer current sensor, such as an ammeter 96. While the buffer inductor 95 is illustrated as a device separate from the synthesizer 70, it is apparent that the synthesizer of the present invention may be constructed to include the buffer inductor 95. The converter 22 also has input and output sensor assemblies 97 and 98 for monitoring the voltage and current of the power flowing from the first circuit 24, and to the second circuit 25, respectively. The sensor assemblies 97 and 98 may be any type of conventional current and voltage sensors, such as ammeters and voltmeters, or their structural equivalents as known to those skilled in the art.

Except for the S_j switch 88, all switches of the synthesizer 70 may have a current rating significantly less than the rating of the thyristors 41-46 and 51-56 of the input and output switch assemblies 40 and 50, which carry the bulk of the link current ΪR. The synthesizer switches, other than the S_| switch 88 carry current for only a small fraction of the duration of an entire cycle of a link current pulse, i.e., one fifth or less of a cycle. Second Embodiment

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross type unipolar series resonant converter 100 constructed in accordance with the present invention is shown. The elements of the converter 100 which may be as described above for converter 22 have like numbers, and those with slight modification are increased by 100 from their counterparts in FIG. 1. For exanφle, the converter 100 converts power between a wye power source 124 having an N_A neutral 121 and a wye load 125 having an N_B neutral 123. The converter 100 is capable of four quadrant operation, and of providing bi-directional power flow between circuits 124 and 125. As a further example, the wye connected input filter 126 has an N_A neutral tie

127 between capacitors 130, 132 and 134, in contrast with the delta capacitor arrangement in filter 26 of FIG. 1, and the output filter 128 is similarly constructed with an N_B neutral tie 129. A conductor 102 couples the N_A neutral 127 to the N_B neutral 129. The dash-dot lines in FIG. 2 indicate that the N_A neutrals 121 and 127 may be coupled together, and die N_B neutrals 123 and 129 may be coupled together.

The cross type converter 100 has an output switch assembly 150 which differs from the assembly 50 of FIG. 1. Specifically, thyristors 151, 152, 153, 154, 155 and 156 have anode and cathode connections reversed from that of thyristors 51-56 of FIG. 1.

The cross type converter 100 has a resonant circuit 160 formed by the series connected C_R resonant capacitor 162 and Lg resonant inductor 164. The resonant circuit 160 is coupled between conductors 104 and 105 by a T_R blocking thyristor 180. The resonant circuit 160 and T_R blocking thyristor 180 are in parallel with both the input and output switch assemblies 40 and 50. The cross type converter 100 has a link current synthesizer 70 coupled to a buffer inductor 95, as described with respect to FIG. 1.

The cross type converter 100 may include two additional thyristors. A first T_S1 thyristor 106 has its anode coupled to conductor 104, and its cathode coupled to conductor 102, while a second T_s2 thyristor 108 has its anode coupled to conductor 102 and its cathode coupled to conductor 104. The T_sl and T_s2 thyristors 106 and 108 may be used to short the resonant circuit 160 at either the source side or the load side of the converter 100. Third Embodiment

The converter 22 in FIG. 1 is capable of accommodating bi-directional power flow and four quadrant operation. The converter 22 is not restricted to converter applications with performance specifications usually associated with conventional three phase converters, nor is it restricted to the circuit topology shown in FIG. 1. For example, first and second circuits 24 and 25 may be single phase, polyphase AC power or DC power.

FIG. 3 illustrates a third embodiment of a unipolar series resonant converter 200 constructed in accordance with the present invention. The elements of the converter 200 which may be as described above for converter 22 have like numbers, and those with slight modification are increased by 200 from their counterparts in FIG. 1. For example, the converter 200 converts power between a single phase AC or DC input power source 224, and second three phase power source 25, as described above with respect to FIG. 1. The converter 200 has a resonant circuit 60, T_R blocking thyristor 80, and link current synthesizer 70 with buffer inductor 95, as described above.

The converter 200 has a thyristor bridge switching assembly 240 with four thyristors 241, 242, 243 and 244. The first filter 226 coupled to source 224 has only a single filtering C_A capacitor 230. The converter 200 becomes a unidirectional DC to AC converter simply by removing the thyristor bridge 240 and coupling the A_j and A₂ terminals to a DC power source (not shown). Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 4 illustrates a fourth embodiment of a unipolar series resonant converter 300 constructed in accordance with the present invention for unidirectional power flow. The elements of the converter 300 which may be as described above for converter 22 have like numbers, and those with slight modification are increased by 300 from their counterparts in FIG. 1. The converter 300 has replaced the thyristor bridge input switch assembly 40 of FIG. 1 with a less expensive diode switch assembly 340. The converter 300 is designed for power flow in a single direction, that is, unidirectional power flow, from the first circuit 24 to a second circuit or load 325. The diode switch assembly 340 may include a voltage sensor assembly 397, comprising conventional voltage sensors or their structural equivalents known to those skilled in the art, rather than the voltage and current sensor assembly 97 of FIGS. 1 and 2.

The diode switch assembly 340 includes a conventional diode bridge 310, in combination with a single T_A series thyristor 312, and a D_A free-wheeling diode 314. Note that a three phase capacitor filter, such as filter 26 in FIG. 1 or filter 126 in FIG. 2, is not required. Instead, a single filter element may be used if required, such as a C_A terminating capacitor filter 318, which may be included as a portion of switch assembly 340. If the diode bridge 310 is eliminated, the first switching assembly comprises the T_A thyristor 312 and D_A diode 314, die C_A filter capacitor 318 may be coupled directly across a DC circuit (not shown), and die converter becomes a DC to AC unipolar series resonant converter. Alternate Link Current Synthesizer Embodiments

Referring to FIG. 5, an alternate embodiment of a link current synthesizer 270 is shown which may be substituted for synthesizer 70 in the converters 22, 100, 200, and 300 of FIGS. 1-4, respectively. The alternate synthesizer 270 uses GATT thyristors, gate-assisted turn off thyristors (GATTs), with their short turn off times (10 μsec or less) and/or GTOs to provide a more simplified circuit than shown for synthesizer 70. The synthesizer 270 has a Dfc blocking diode 280 which replaces the T_R thyristor 80 of FIG. 1. The synthesizer 270 has a single L_j inductor 292 in series with a T_τ thyristor 286 to couple the junction of the C_R capacitor 64 and die D_R diode 280 with a node 272. A T_j thyristor 188 replaces the S_j switch 88 of FIG. 1, and couples the junction of the L% inductor 62 and die C_R capacitor 64 with the node 272. Hie T_τ and T thyristors 286 and 288 perform the same function as the S_j switch 88 and die T_τ thyristor 86 of the link current synthesizer 70 shown in FIG. 1. PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION

The principle of operation of the converters 22, 100, 200 and 300 will be illustrated by discussing die operation of converter 22 of FIG. 1, which also shows the details of the synthesizer 70. Assume the converter 22 has input terminals labeled Al, A2 and A3 coupled to the three phase AC source 24, and output terminals labeled Bl, B2 and B3 coupled to a three phase load 25. The load 25 may be a passive load such as a resistor, inductor or capacitor, or a combination of thereof. Alternatively, die load 25 may be an electric machine which would subject die output terminals Bl, B2 and B3 to voltages due to the back emf (electromagnetic force) characteristic of electric machines. It is apparent to those skilled in the art that the bi-directional embodiments of FIGS. 1-3, may have power flow from the output terminals Bl, B2 and B3 to the input terminals Al, A2 and A3. Various control aspects of power transfer from the source to the load are illustrated below.

For exanφle. a closed current path is shown in heavy black lines in FIG. 1 when energy is exchanged between the source 24 and the load 25. The current in this closed current path flows through thyristors T_A11 and T_A32 of the input switch assembly 40, and through thyristors T^_j and T_Bj2 of the output switch assembly 50. The Lg buffer inductor 95 is also part of this current path, and serves the same function as a buffer capacitor in a conventional DC link converter. A. Generation of the Link Current Pulses: USGL Controller

Referring to FIG. 7, the converters 22, 100, 200 and 300 each may have a controller 398 comprising first and second subcontroller stages. The first stage of the controller

398 comprises a main thyristor selection logic ("MTSL") controller 400, and die second stage comprises a unipolar series resonant converter switch gate logic ("USGL") controller 500.

FIG. 6 illustrates the structure, general principles of operation of the MTSL controller 400 and will be described in detail below after illustrating the operation of die converter subject to a switching schedule determined by the USGL controller 500.

The USGL controller 500 provides gate signals, collectively, signals 502, to all of the converter switches (T_A and T_B thyristors 41-46, 51-56, and 241-244 of die input and output switch assemblies 40, 50, and 240; the T_R and T_τ thyristors 80 and 86; and die S_j and S_B switches 88 and 90) according to the timing logic shown in FIG. 7, except for the turn off of the thyristors which turnoff by natural commutation. The timing of these switching signals is also described above with reference to FIGS. 8-16. The USGL controller 500 may be implemented with commercially available analog and/or digital logic components or their structural equivalents known to those skilled in the art.

The USGL controller 500 provides die gate signals 502 to all of the converter switches if the following decisions have been made regarding:

1. Timing for initiating the link current pulse i_R by turning on the S_j switch 88; and

2. Selection of which of the T_A and T_B thyristors of the input and output switch assemblies 40, 50, 240 which determines die current path for the link currait i_R.

Referring also to FIG. 7, the process of generating link current pulses is illustrated. The link currait i_R is defined as the current flowing through the LR resonant inductor 62. The preferred link current i_R comprises a train of unipolar pulses, with each pulse having a zero current segment and a non zero current segment. Preferably, both of zero and nonzero current segments are controllable in duration while assuring minimal switching losses either through zero current switching and/or zero voltage switching.

Preferably, the link current pulses are generated in a stable fashion under regular, as well as irregular, source and load operating conditions. Stability here means that the energy stored in the link elements is prevented from building up or collapsing as successive link current pulses flow through these link elements (i.e., the resonance circuit 60, the _j- and L_j inductors of syntiiesizer 70, and die Lg buffer inductor 95). Ic particular, the voltage across the C_R resonant capacitor 64 is a measure of this stored energy, and thus preferably does not become excessive or collapse at the completion of each pulse cycle.

For a given implementation, the period of die link current pulses may be significantly smaller than the period of die voltage and current waveforms at the input and output of the converter 22. Therefore, assume that during die period of an entire pulse cycle:

1. die line to line voltages at the source 24 and die load 25 are constant because d e C_A and C_B filter capacitors 30-38 are relatively large compared to the C_R resonant capacitor 64; and 2. die current i_LB in the L_B buffer inductor 95 is constant because inductor

95 is relatively large compared to the R resonant inductor 62. These assumptions are not requirements for proper operation of converter 22, but are introduced merely to explain die principles of the invention in an expedient manner wimout clouding die description with rigorous details apparent to those skilled in the art. The link current i_R is driven by a link driving voltage v_LD. The link driving voltage Vu₎ is non zero only when selected thyristors of the switch assemblies 40 and 50 are turned on to permit the link current i_R to flow. The link driving voltage v^p is determined by:

1. die line to line voltages at the source 24 and die load 25; and

2. die thyristors of the input and output switch assemblies 40 and 50 which are selected to carry the link current i_R.

Upon firing thyristors 41-46 and 51-56, die driving voltage VJJJ for the link current i_R is the voltage difference:

^VLD = A - ^VB

Now, consider die link currait i_R flowing in the path indicated with the heavy black lines through ^{mβ T}A11_> ^TA32_> ^TB3l ^{and T}B12 thyristors 41, 46, 53 and 54 in FIG. 1. Since die thyristors of the input and output switch assemblies are selected to carry the link current i_R, the input bus voltage v_A and output bus voltage v_B are:

^VA = ^VA1 " ^VA3

^VB = ^VB3 " ^VB1 where (v_A1 - ^) and (v_B1 - v_κ) are indeed die line to line voltages at the source 24 and die load 25, respectively.

Even though die link driving voltage v^ varies from pulse to pulse, assuming positive and negative values, its maximum value is bounded because die line to line voltages of both source 24 and load 25 are bounded. The source 24 and load 25 line to line voltages are bounded eitiier because:

1. die converter is impressed with a certain voltage pattern; or

2. control of the thyristors in die switch assemblies 40, 50 follow the pattern of a certain set of reference signals, discussed below. Since the voltages v_A and v_B are assumed (not required) to be constant, die link driving voltage v_LD may also be assumed constant during die non zero current segment of the link currait pulse.

FIG. 7 shows two full cycles of waveforms of selected quantities during operation of die converter 22 shown in FIG. 1, as well as the timing logic for the gate signals of die various switches used. The link driving voltage v_LD is positive for the first pulse, and negative for the second pulse. Each full cycle of the link current pulses i_R has four basic modes of operation referred to as:

1. Z-mode for a zero current segment Z during which the link currait i_R is zero. 2. I-mode for an initiating currait segment I during which die link currait pulse is initiated through resonant oscillation.

3. F-mode for a flat non-zero currait segment F during which the link currait pulse is clamped by the buffer inductor currait i^ through die L_B buffer inductor 95 while die resonant circuit oscillation is inactive. 4. T-mode for a terminating currait segment T during which the link current pulse is returned to zero by resonant oscillation. In FIG. 7, the waveform of the link current pulses ^ reflects these four modes of operation. The non-zero currait segment comprises the I segment, the F segment and die T segment. Both die durations of die 7«ro currait segment Z and die nonzero currait segment (I+F+T) are independently controllable in duration.

FIG. 7 also shows the schedule for turning each switch of converter 22 on and off to illustrate the gate signal timing logic for each switch. The switching times are indicated in FIG. 7 by an arrow adjacent to each switch name. Single superscript asterisks indicate when a switch has received a control signal to turned off, rather than turn on. Thyristor turn off occurs by natural commutation as the currait returns to zero through each of the thyristors, as indicated by double superscript asterisks in FIG. 7. All switching occurs at substantially zero switch currait, defined as "zero current switching" (ZCS) or at substantially zero switch voltage, defined as "zero voltage switching" (ZVS), as shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 7 shows the currents flowing through the thyristors, i.e. the T_R thyristor 80 carries a currait irø, the T_τ thyristor 86 carries a current i , and die thyristors of both the input and output switch assemblies 40 and 50 carry the link currait _R. The particular T_A and T_B thyristors of switch assemblies 40 and 50 conducting at a given time depends upon die particular control strategy used to transfer power from the source 24 to die load 25, discussed further below. B. Z-mo e O eration

The Z-mode of operation is divided into a steady Zg-mode shown in FIG. 8, and a transitional Z,-mode shown in FIG. 9. The steady Z_j-mode occurs when the link currait i_R flowing during die previous pulse has returned to zero, and none of die T_A or T_B thyristors switch assemblies 40 or 50 are conducting. In the transitional Z_t-mode, action is undertaken to prepare for the initiation of die nonzero currait segment. The status of all switches during the Zς-mode is shown in FIG. 7 at time t₀: the T_A, T_B, T_τ thyristors and die S_l switch have not been fired (indicated by the superscript asterisk), but the S_B switch and die T_R thyristor have been turned on.

Referring to FIG. 8, during die Zg-mode, die S_j switch 88 is open, the current i^g through the L_B buffer inductor 95 is "free-wheeling" through die L_r inductor 92, die D_B diode 94 and die S_B switch 90. Under these conditions, die C_R resonant capacitor 64 carries no currait, leaving a constant and positive v^ voltage across the C_R capacitor 64. By selecting certain values for L_R, L_j and C_R, the v^ voltage may be higher than the maximum value of die link driving voltage VJJJ.

Referring to FIG. 9, the Z_l-mode begins at time t_t by turning on the S_j initiating switch 88. Selecting time t_j controls die duration of die zero current segment Z. As the S switch 88 is turned on at t_j, the positive resonant capacitor voltage v^ is reduced because resonant oscillation of die C_R and L_j resonant circuit causes currait i^ to begin to flow through the T_R thyristor 80. The currait i_jR increases at instant t_j because the currait i_DB through the D_B diode 94 and die L_j inductor 92 decreases while the currait i_LB through die relatively large Lg buffer inductor 95 is practically constant. Thus, at instant t_j, the behavior of the currait i_DB, the currait i-m and die resonant capacitor voltage v^ is subject to resonant oscillation of die circuit formed by C_R and L_j and hence, this behavior follows a pattern given by:

»DB = »LB " cR(Zs)sin[o>i_>R(t - ι)]/Zι _R

»TR = »LB " *DB

^VCR = VCRCZS) cos[«uι(t - ).

where: ω_{j R} = (L_IC_R)^{"ly4 Z}I.R ⁼ (LI^/CR)

v_CR(Z_s) = resonant capacitor voltage during die

Zg-mode.

It is apparait that the converter 22 may be designed so the currait i_DB returns to zero before the resonant capacitor voltage v^ becomes less than the maximum link driving voltage v_{jjj j}^_χ to which the link elements may be subjected. If desired, this condition may be derived from these relationships as a design constraint based upon the characteristic impedance Z_{I R} according to:

ZR,I [^vCR,min(^Zs) ^ήtf-MLB

with: α = arccosfvu_j^/vc_R ^Zg)]

Thus, at time t_j the currait i_jR through the T_R thyristor 80 increases as die current i_DB through the D_B diode 94 decreases.

At time t2, the currait i_DB returns to zero and die current i_jR is clamped to the value of die buffer current i^. At time t^ the voltage V_QR is still positive, so the Dg diode 94 is back biased and die S_B switch 90 may be turned off under ideal conditions, i.e. at zero currait

(ZCS) and at zero voltage (ZVS). Moreover, turning on die selected thyristors T_A and T_B of switch assemblies 40, 50 at time _j will not cause these thyristors to conduct because the link current i_R is prevented from flowing until die voltage v_CR becomes less than the link driving voltage Vu_j. C. I-mode Operation

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 11, at time t₄, the link current i_R begins to flow through die T_A and T_B thyristors when die voltages across these thyristors are substantially zero (ZVS). This advantageous zero voltage switching of the input and output switch assemblies stems from the controlled decrease of resonant capacitor voltage v^, a feature which is not possible with conventional series resonant converters using AC link current pulses.

After time t₄, the link current i_R increases and die voltage V₍- decreases, which is defined as the initiation or I-mode. During the I-mode, as shown in FIG. 11, resonant oscillation occurs due to the C_R and L_R resonant circuit 60, and die converter behavior may be described by die following equations:

LR (di_R/dt) = v_jjj - VCR

C_R (d_VcR/dt) = - i_fR widi: ixR = iLg - i_R

As the current i_R increases, die i-_j^ thyristor currait decreases (third equation above) until reaching zero, and remains at zero until die end of I-mode operation, that is, at time t,.

D. F-mode Operation

Referring again to FIG. 7, at time 15, the T_R thyristor 80 turns off by natural commutation as die thyristor current i_jR returns to zero. Also at time t_j, the link currait i_R is clamped to the value of the buffer currait i^ to begin die F-mode of operation. Similar to the Z-mode, the F-mode comprises two consecutive modes of operation: the F_s steady mode, shown in FIG. 12, and die F_t transitional mode, shown in FIGS. 13-15.

Referring to FIG. 12, the F_s steady mode begins at time t_*- when the link current pulse i_R is clamped to the buffer inductor currait i^. Also at time -5, the voltage V£R stops decreasing and maintains a constant value during die entire F_s steady mode. The constant value of v^ is maintained because the current i_j-_R returned to zero at the instant t₅. The value of the resonant capacitor voltage v_RC during die F_s-mode is given by:

^VCR Ps ^{= V} D ^" ~H,KⁱR,vamX

where: ZR _R = (L_R/C_R)^{+ i}

'_R,m_ax ⁼ maximum link current which is clamped to

»LB-

Z _R is the characteristic impedance of the LR and C_R resonant circuit 60 which causes die link currait i_R to increase through resonant oscillation during die I-mode.

During die F_g-mode, the resonant capacitor voltage v^ should be non-positive, allowing die link current i_R to reach zero for zero voltage switching during die upcoming T-mode. The expression above for v^C _g) shows that this condition may be assured by choosing ZR R so:

~V.JL ^{> v}LD,m__x^/iLB

where i_R>max equals i^ because i_R is clamped to die buffer current i^ during die F_s steady mode.

Three items need comment at this point. First, as the resonant capacitor voltage VCR decreases from a positive value beginning at time I_Q, it reaches a minimum value at time t₅, the beginning of the F_s-mode. During die entire F_s-mode, the V₍-R voltage is maintained at this minimum value until die end of die F_s-mode at time tg. The expression given earlier for VCR(F_S) is the minimum value of the resonant capacitor voltage v^ during a full pulse cycle, and is bounded because:

1. The maximum link currait is bounded by die buffer inductor currait iu; and

2. The link driving voltage v^ is bounded to die maximum input or output line to line voltage because die line to line voltages of both source 24 and load 25 are bounded.

As a second comment, resonant oscillation of die resonant circuit 60 is deactivated at time t₅ because the link currait i_R is clamped to the buffer currait i_jj and die resonant capacitor voltage V R is constant. Deactivation of resonant oscillation through circuit 60 is caused by turn off of the T_R thyristor 80. When the link currait i_R flows through converter 22

(heavy black lines in FIGS. 1 and 11), power from the source 24 to the load 25 takes place while die resonant oscillation of the resonant circuit 60 is inactive, which is a feature not available in earlier converters. During this power flow, most elements of the link currait synthesizer 70 do not carry currait. Indeed, only die S_j initiating switch must be rated for full load currait, which provides a significant cost saving.

As a third comment, the F_t-mode may begin at any instant, so die duration of die F-mode and therefore, the duration of the nonzero current segment, is controllable. At time tg, the F_t-mode begins. To stop flow of the link currait i_R, the resonant circuit 60 is reactivated. The link currait i_R is diverted to flow through the C_R resonant capacitor

64, die p diode 82, and die S_B switch 90.

Referring to FIG. 13, during die first step of this diversion process, the T_τ thyristor 86 is fired at any desired time %. Firing die T_τ thyristor 86 activates a C_R and - resonant circuit. The C_R and L_j. resonant oscillation drives die negative resonant capacitor voltage V_ξ-R up to reach zero at time t₇, for initiation of die second step of this diversion process (FIGS. 14-15), that is, zero voltage switching of the S_B switch 90 followed subsequendy by turning off of the S_t switch 88 (indicated by die asterisk in FIG. 7). Both switchings occur at zero voltage (ZVS). Between times tg and t₇, the resonant oscillation of the L_j- and C_R resonant circuit is completely unaffected by currents or voltages in otiier parts of the converter 22. Isolation of die - and C_R resonant circuit is achieved by die T_R blocking thyristor 80 and die S_B blocking switch 90. Hence, resonant oscillation during die interval between times % and t₇ satisfies the following equations:

CR = L_j. (diπ-AIt)

C_R (d_VcR/dt) = icR = ir_j Consequently, the maximum value of the current through the L, inductor 84 is given by:

ⁱTr,mιιx ^{= v}CR,πωχ(^FsV^ZT,R

2-_j, = (LΓ CR)⁺'^A

where Zp R is the characteristic impedance of die Lp and C_R resonant circuit.

In preventing currents through any of die link element inductors and switches from exceeding die buffer current i_u and die Zp _R characteristic impedance should satisfy the relationship:

By substituting die expression for v^^ ) as given earlier, this relationship yields die following relationship between _j- _R and Z_{R R}:

ZT.R ^> -V.fi. ^{+ v}LD,max^/iLB

To provide sufficient time for die S_B switch 90 to close before the S_j switch 88 is opaied (on die order of one microsecond for today's commercial IGBTs), die rate of change of \_CR may be adjusted by selecting a high inductance for the L_p inductor 84. The time interval between t_$ and t₇ may be derived from die resonant oscillation equations above, to provide an exact formula for this time interval:

T(te, t₇) - [τ(L_I<:_R)^{+ 4}]/2

At time t₇, the S_B switch 90 is closed, and die resonant capacitor voltage v^ is zero and remains at zero until die S_j switch 88 is opened. Referring to FIG. 14, between activation of die S_B and S_j switches, the \ _R voltage remains at zero because currait flows through the short circuit path of the Lp inductor 84, the S_j switch 88 and die antiparallel diode of die S_B switch 90. Between activation of die S_B and S_j switches, the S_j switch 88 carries both the link currait i_R and die Lp inductor current l_j- until switch S_j is firmly opened.

Thus, the S_j switch 88 is rated for a peak currait equal to the sum of maximum link currait i_R and die maximum L_p inductor currait ip . However, the average currait is negligibly higher than that of the average value of the link current ΪR because current _p is only carried by the switch S_j for a short duration, on die order of one microsecond for commercially available power switches. Therefore, the time that the S_j switch 88 carries the additional currait i-PP is extremely short conφared to the link currait cycle period, which is on the order of 60 μsec for a converter designed for operation at a modulation frequency of 20 Khz.

Even though most commercially available power switches are quite capable of withstanding such an increase in the peak currait without die need for any over rating, a number of approaches are possible to avoid any problems. For example, the S switch 88 may be replaced by two parallel switches (not shown), with one dedicated to carry the additional currait i_π between activation of die S_B and S_j switches. This dedicated switch may be turned on between times tg and t₇, and turned off at time t₇. The average currait rating of such a dedicated switch is extremely small, and both turn off and turn on would be at zero voltage if conduction begins at time t_j. As shown in FIG. 15, following the opening of switch S_j at time t₇, the link currait i_R is diverted to flow through die C_R resonant capacitor 64. Both die resonant capacitor voltage V£R and die link current i_R are subjected to resonant oscillations from two resonant circuits: die C_R and Lp resonant circuit activated by die T_τ thyristor 86, and die C_R, LR and L_j resonant circuit. After time t₇, the resonant capacitor currait i-^ follows from:

icR - i_R + ipp

Both die currents i_R and i p, and therefore the currait i^, can only assume positive values because they are both carried by unidirectional thyristors, that is, the input and output thyristors T_A, T_B, and die T_τ thyristor 86. As a result, die resonant capacitor voltage v_CR increases even further. As voltage _R becomes higher than die link driving voltage v^, the link currait i_R decreases due to the effect of the C_R, LR and L_j resonant circuit, as described by:

(1^ + L,) (di_R/dt) = vu_j - VCR

E. T-mode Operation

Referring to FIG. 7, at time tg, the T-mode begins as the resonant capacitor voltage v_CR exceeds die link driving voltage VJJJ, causing die link currait i_R to begin its decay. As shown in FIG. 16, the T-mode ends at time tp when the link currait i_R reaches zero. At time tg, the T_A and T_B thyristors of the input and output switch assemblies 40 and 50 are turned off by natural commutation. During die T-mode, as the link current gradually returns to zero through resonant oscillation of die resonant circuit formed by die Lp inductor 84 and C_R resonant capacitor 64, as shown by the heavy lines in FIG. 15. The current i p also returns to zero during oscillation of die C_R and Lp resonant circuit. The buffer inductor current i_u is gradually picked up to free-wheel through the S_B switch 90 and die D_B diode 94.

At time t₁₀, the resonant capacitor voltage v^ stops increasing and maintains a constant positive value. At time t₁₀ the T-mode has ended, die pulse cycle has been completed, and a new pulse cycle has begun with a new Z -mode of operation. The entire process for generating a new link current pulse is repeatable to establish a train of unipolar link currait pulses.

F. Operation of the Alternate GATT or GTO l ink Pnrrent Svnrtireixw The USGL controller 500 may be modified as known by diose skilled in the art to operate die GATT or GTO embodiment of synthesizer 270 shown in FIG. 5. The T_τ and T_j thyristors 286, 288, whether GATTs or GTOs, operate as described above for the T_τ thyristor 86 and die S_I switch 88 of synthesizer 70.

The T_j thyristor 288 turns on at the same time as the S_j switch 88, for example at t_j and t_lt in FIG. 7. The T_j thyristor 288 turns off by natural commutation as die currait flowing through it goes to zero. For exanφle, a GATT T_j thyristor 288 turns off at tp. If a GTO is used, men the USGL controller 500 issues the GTO T, thyristor 288 a turn off signal at

The T_τ thyristor 286, whether a GATT or a GTO, turns on and off as described above for the T_τ thyristor 86 and as shown in FIG. 7. The ^~ blocking diode 280 conducts as a normal diode according to the voltage biasing diode 280. During die free-wheeling modes during die time intervals tg-t_j and tg-t_jj flows through the loop created by die Lg buffer inductor 95, die

DR diode 280, die L_j inductor 292, and die T_τ diyristor 286.

G. Unipolar Link Current Pulses The constant and positive value of die resonant capacitor voltage V^-R during die

Z -mode of each pulse is given by:

VCRCZs) = l ^vU> l + KZRI.RΪ .max

where: Z^ = [(LR + L,)/C_R]^+%

*R max ⁼ maximum link currait which is clamped to

»LB

I VJJJ I = absolute value of Vn,

0 < K < 1

ZRJ R is the characteristic impedance of die R, LJ and C_R resonant circuit which causes die link currait to return to zero during die T-mode. The factor K is always positive, has a maximum value of unity and is otherwise a function of die link driving voltage VJJJ and die value of d e resonant capacitor voltage v^ during die Fg-mode. K attains a minimum value if v^ is zero. Therefore, to assure tiiat the resonant capacitor voltage v_CR during die Zg-mode is higher than die maximum value of die link driving voltage v^. A cumbersome analysis verified by experiments reveals that it is necessary to choose Z_jy _R to be about 1.3 to 1.8 times die value chosen for ZR^. The requirement for the choice of ZR _R was given earlier. The T-mode leaves a firm back bias voltage during the entire Z-mode at all switches which carry the link currait i_R during other modes. The total back bias voltage available equals (v^ - _LD) and can be designed to any desired value by die choice of ZRJ _R.

Although die T_R diyristor 80 may be fired along with turning on of die S_j switch 88 to initiate the Zg-mode, it is preferable to fire T_R immediately after die T-mode is completed, i.e. when die link currait i_R has returned to zero at time t₁₀. This operation facilitates zero voltage switching of T_R because die voltage across T_R is approximately zero as T_R starts tc conduct when die switch S_j is turned on. Moreover, the total back bias voltage is shared exclusively by die thyristors of the input and output switch assemblies 40 and 50.

Finally, it is noted that the non-dissipative elements of die link currait synthesizer 70 carry low πns (root mean square) currents and consequently, incur low losses. This benefit occurs because there is no resonant oscillation of tiiese link elements during die F-mode. Transfer of power from the source 24 to the load 25, or vice versa, during die F-mode is accomplished by currait flow tiirough the L_B buffer inductor 95 and die S_j switch 88. During the F-mode, die L_B inductor 95 carries only DC currait, so the L_B inductor is not subjected to AC-induced skin-effect losses, such as those incurred in die earlier converters which gaierate link current pulses entirely through resonant (AC) oscillation. H. Stability of Link Current Pulses

A prerequisite to proper performance of die converter is stability of the link currait pulses which transfer power from the source 24 to the load 25 or vice versa. As discussed above, the resonant capacitor voltage v^ attains both positive and negative maτimιιm values which are bounded for each full pulse cycle. Since die maximum currait in any of die inductors of die link elements does not exceed die buffer inductor currait i^, energy build up and collapse are prevented within the link elements of the converter. Thus, power transfer through die converter 22 by generation of die train of unipolar link currait pulses, such as shown in FIG. 7, is conducted in a stable manner.

L Peak Value of the Link Current Pμlsφg

It is apparent that the peak value of die link current pulses are limited in amplitude by die buffer inductor L_B. The inductance value of die L_B inductor 95 is relatively high to assure the currait behaves constantly for a duration which is longer than the intended duration of a full pulse cycle of die link current. The i^ current through the L_B inductor 95 is controlled by selecting the capacity of the T_A and T_B thyristors of the input and output switch assemblies 40, 50 to carry die link current. During the F-mode die link current i_R is clamped to the currait amplitude i^ flowing through the buffer inductor L_B. This clamping action of die L_B inductor 95 iπφarts near square wave shaped waveform to the link current pulses i_R, rather than a sinusoidal waveform as in the earlier series resonant converters.

For adequate power transfer at full load operating conditions, die converter 22 may be designed so the average value of die link current pulses i_R over a full pulse cycle is at least equal to the maximum load current required for full load operation. For exanφle, if converter 22 is designed for equally rated input and output voltages with a maximum full load currait of i_0>max, men converter 22 may be designed to accommodate an average link currait i_{R ave} which is at least equal to maximum full load currait of i_0>max. Thus,

'R.ave ^lo,max

Since the link current pulses i_R are near-squarewaves, the link current pulse peak value iR_ιPeaj; f°^r which the converter 22 is rated is given by:

where D is the duty cycle of die pulse given by die ratio of die durations of die nonzero current segment (I, F, and T-modes) to the full pulse cycle. Commercially available, inverter grade tiiyristors having a blocking voltage rating of 1200 V may be used for the input and output switch assemblies 40, 50 of a converter 22 having a 480 V line-to-line voltage rating. Such tiiyristors provide a turn off time corresponding to a zero segment duration of about 14 μsec. Thus, a converter 22 constructed in accordance witii the present invention may have a modulation frequency of 16 kHz for a duty cycle D of about 0.77. From die relationship given above, the link current peak value i_Rtpeaj; is about 1.3 times maximum current for full load operation.

For die earlier converters, this factor is on die order of 3 to 9, which is far higher than die value of 1.3 for converter 22. Thus, the current carrying components of the earlier converters must have much higher currait ratings, which increases their expense, both in teπns of initial component costs and operating costs due to the I²R heating losses.

The earlier series resonant converters generate near-sinusoidal link currait pulses so the entire nonzero currait segment of die pulses is syntiiesized through resonant oscillation. This causes the relationship between peak value and average value of the link currait, and therefore the maximum full load current, in the earlier converters, to be dictated by:

iR,pe_k = (*/2)(i_R(ave) = (τ/2D)[i_0>IMX]

Consequently, even for the same duty cycle D, die required link currait peak value of die earlier converters is greater than die link currait peak value of converter 22 by a factor of τ/2. If practical design aspects are considered, this factor is higher than x/2 because the duration of die zero currait segment must be increased, which results in a decrease of the duty cycle D. This duty cycle decrease in die earlier converters may be avoided only if die modulation frequency is sacrificed by increasing die duration of die pulse cycle. J. Optional Saturable Inductor

In a practical design of die earlier converters each thyristor of input and output switch assemblies include snubber elements (not shown) to limit the time rate of change of the forward blocking voltage across these thyristors, and thus, avoid unscheduled turn on of die tiiyristors. These snubber elements usually comprise a saturable inductor in series with die diyristor, and die series combination of a small capacitor and a resistor coupled in parallel to the diyristor.

In die earlier conventional series resonant converters using pairs of antiparallel thyristors to form bi-directional switches, each such pair of thyristors must be provided with a saturable inductor. In die illustrated embodiments of die present invention, only unidirectional switches, i.e. a single thyristor for one unidirectional switch, are used in die switch assemblies 40, 50. Thus, the LR resonant inductor 62 advantageously reduces die time rate of change of a forward blocking voltage of the T_A and T_B thyristors in switch assemblies 40, 50.

Moreover, if some applications call for an even higher time rate of reduction, diai a single I-R saturable inductor 299 may be placed in series with die L_R resonant inductor 62, rather than a saturable inductor in series with each diyristor of die switch assemblies, as in die earlier converters (see FIG. 5).

Alternatively, in converter 22 of FIG. 1, this an LRJ saturable inductor 399 may be coupled between node 75 and conductor 66 (see FIG. 20). Anoύier suitable location for the saturable inductor in converter 22 is shown in dashed lines in Fig. 20 as an LRS saturable inductor 399' coupled between node conductor 66 and die anode of die T_R diyristor 80. Such a saturable inductor 299, 399 or 399' advantageously reduces die turn on losses of the S_j switch 88. The saturable inductor 399' also reduces die reverse recovery currait of die T_R thyristor 80. Referring to FIG. 7, die S_j switch 88 is turned on at t_j, t_{j j} to initiate the Z_t-mode which activates the resonant circuit formed by die C_R resonant capacitor 64 and die L_j inductor 92. Inserting a saturable inductor (not shown) either between die conductor 66 and node 75 or die anode of die T_R diyristor 30 provides this C_R/L_j resonant circuit witii additional inductance. Such additional inductance decreases die rate of change of die current through the S_j switch 88 as it is turned on. The input and output switch assemblies 40 and 50 advantageously use tiiyristors

T_A and T_B as unidirectional switches. To prevent unscheduled turn on of thyristors T_A and T_B, the reapplied rate of change of die anode to cathode voltage (known to those skilled in die art as "die reapplied dv/dt turn on phenomenon"), is prevented from reaching excessive values by inserting an L S optional saturable inductor 199 in series with the LR resonant inductor 62, for example, as shown in FIG. 5. Optionally, the LRS inductor 199 may also be included in converters 22, 100, 200 and 300 of FIGS. 1-4.

In contrast, the earlier converters require input and output switch assemblies having bi-directional switches formed by pairs of anti-parallel coupled tiiyristors, further increasing die component cost. These earlier converters require a saturable reactor to be inserted in series with each bi-directional switch, so as many as twelve saturable inductors are needed for a three phase AC-to-AC converter. To avoid voltage junφs on die tiiyristors not carrying the link current requires using tiiyristors with higher blocking voltage ratings, which invariably have undesirable higher turn off times. Consequently, die duration of the zero currait segment of the link current needs to be increased in the earlier converters.

Alternatively, die earlier converters avoid voltage junφs on nonconducting tiiyristors by using twelve inductors having a low inductance as conφared to the inductance of die resonant inductor. However, tiiese low inductance values require the tiiyristors to be exposed to a higher reapplied dv/dt values, which forces the zero currait segment duration to be increased beyond die turn off time specified by diyristor manufacturers. The illustrated converters

22, 100, 200 and 300 are not limited by tiiese constraints because tiiere is no need to use pairs of antiparallel thyristors in the input and output switch assemblies as in earlier converters. To avoid increasing the duration of die zero currait segment beyond manufacturer specified turn off times, all of the T_A and T_B tiiyristors to be turned off are subjected to a firm back-bias voltage for a duration equal to this specified turn off time, as discussed above with respect to the resonant capacitor voltage VςR during die Zg-mode (FIGS. 7 and 8). This feature is not possible using die earlier DC-link converters. MTSL CONTROLLER The MTSL controller 400 makes decisions required for operation of die USGL controller 500 based upon considerations of how power flows through the converter via the unipolar link current pulses i_R. The MTSL controller 400 may be implemented by commercially available analog and/or digital logic components or their structural equivalents known to those skilled in die art. The term "main" refers to the main T_A and T_B thyristors 41-46, 51-56, and 241-244 of the input and output switch assemblies 40, 50 and 240, rather tiian the T_R and T_τ thyristors 80 and 86 of the link currait synthesizer 70.

In the discussion below, the main T_A and T_B tiiyristors are also designated as thyristors T_Amn and T_Bmn (with the variables m and n equal to the subscript numerals 1, 2 or 3) as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. In accordance witii the power transfer requirements, the MTSL controller 400 selects which thyristors of die input and output switch assemblies 40, 50, 240 will form die currait path for the link current pulses i_R. For the purposes of illustration, the converter 22 of FIG. 1 will be used to describe operation of die MTSL controller 400. A. Error Detector

The first task of the MTSL controller 400 is error detection of die input and output voltage waveforms at the respective input and output nodes A,,, and B_m. The MTSL controller 400 has an error detector 402 for accomplishing these two first basic functions, specifically:

1. Output waveform shaping by controlling the output voltage or output currait according to a reference signal representing the desired output waveforms; and

2. Clamping the link currait pulse iR to a desired peak value during die nonzero current segment by controlling the i^ current through the L_B buffer inductor 95 to substantially match a reference value i^g RE_F. The output waveform shaping function may be accomplished using an output voltage error detection portion or detector 404 of the error detector 402, as shown in FIG. 17. The clamping of die link current pulse function may be accomplished using an input voltage error detection portion or detector 406 of the error detector 402, as shown in FIG. 18.

It is apparent from the input voltage error detection scheme shown in detector 406, that die MTSL controller 400 may be designed to accomplish additional functions. For example, the MTSL controller 400 may be designed for waveform shaping at die converter input to achieve input power factor control. The MTSL controller 400 may also be designed to accommodate limited voltage ratings of the link elements and die T_A and T_B thyristors of the input and output switch assemblies 40, 50.

Realization of both functions, output waveform shaping and i_LB currait control, involves a modulation process for controlling the power transfer through the converter 22 by controlling the link currait pulses i_R. A number of modulation techniques known to those skilled in die art may be used, such as pulse-width modulation, pulse-frequency modulation, pulse-area modulation, and integral-cycle modulation, as discussed in the textbook by Mohan, Undeland and Robbins: Power Electronics: Converters. Applications and Design, mentioned above. Both open loop and closed loop schemes for these modulation techniques are possible. In the closed loop scheme, the error of the actual output quantity (voltage or currait) with respect to a reference signal is detected. The object of the modulation process is to minimize this error to be within an acceptable limit.

While all of these modulation techniques are applicable to the converter of the present invention, die closed loop pulse area ("CL/PA") modulation technique is preferred. The CL/PA modulation technique maximizes the flexibility of the link current pulses generated between the input and output switch assemblies 40, 50. With CL PA modulation, die height and duration of botii the zero and nonzero segmaits of die link currait pulses are controllable. Using the CL/PA modulation process allows the converter 22 to maintain a high efficiency even during operation at less than full load conditions. High efficiency is maintained because the height and/or die frequency of die link current pulses, and consequently the switching losses, may be decreased as the demands of die load 25 decrease to less than full load power. In die earlier resonant converters, such flexibility was not possible because the height and duration of both the zero and nonzero segmaits of the pulses were not controllable. (1) Output Voltage Waveform Control

The output voltage waveform shaping function of die MTSL controller 400 is accomplished with the CL/PA modulation technique using a convenient manner of sensing the area of die link currait pulse, i.e. the time integral of die link currait pulse. The link current pulse area is determined by sensing the line-to-line output voltage, rather than die link currait _R itself. The line-to-line output voltage is a measure of the pulse area because the output terminals B_j, B2 and B3 are terminated by die capacitor filter bank 128 which shorts the high frequency component of die link currait i_R.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 17, die detector 404 of die error detector 402 receives a v_Bmn line-to-line output voltage sensor signal 408 from a voltage sensor portion 410 of die output sensor assembly 98. The v_ima sensor signal 408 represents the actual voltage between output lines at the output nodes or terminals B_m and B_n. The MTSL controller 400 may have a referaice signal gaierator 412 which generates references for the output voltage and currait, ^vBmn,REF ^an^ n,REF_> respectively. The signal gaierator 412 has a voltage referaice portion 414 which generates a v_Bmιl|REF output voltage waveform referaice signal 416. The v_Bmn>REF reference signal 416 corresponds to a desired waveform for the line-to-line output voltage.

Alternatively, the output referaice selector 412 may be located remote from the converter 22, and may be a portion of a higher level controller (not shown).

For voltage source operation, tiiat is, for the converter 22 to appear as a voltage source to the load 25, the detector 404 has switch 418 closed and switch 440 open. In this voltage source mode, die v_Bmn sensor signal 408 is subtracted from the v_{Bmn REF} referaice signal

416 by a summer device 420 to determine an E_Bmn output voltage error signal 422 according to:

Efjøm = ^vBm__ R___F " ^vBπm

Each of the three phase voltage error signals 412 is obtained from the summer device 420 which takes the difference of the line-to-line output voltage v_B12, v_B23 and v^_j signals 408, and die respective V_B12>REF> ^VB23,REF ^~~^ ^vB3l,REF referaice signals 416.

For "voltage error modulation," die E_Bmn output voltage error signal 422 is subjected to the CL/PA modulation process. Voltage error modulation is more direct and accurate than link currait pulse area modulation, because die converter 22 supplies power to the load 25 in accordance with die output voltage pattern reference signal 422. This voltage error modulation process makes the converter 22 appear as a voltage source to the load 25. The converter 22 may appear as a fast acting currait source to the load 25 by exploiting die high frequency of the link current pulses. Currait source operation of die converter 22 is possible because the converter may be designed with a modulation frequency which is significantly higher than the frequency of the output voltage or current. The voltage error modulation process may still be applied, although currait signals are used for monitoring the output of converter 22 to minimize die output current error.

For currait source operation, die MTSL controller 400 selects the output currait for reference signals from reference signal gaierator 412 by opening switch 418 and closing switch 440. The reference signal generator 412 also has a currait reference portion 424 which generates an i_Bm)RBF output current waveform reference signal 426. The i_Bm> EF referaice signal 426 corresponds to a desired output currait waveform, rather tiian an output voltage waveform. The output sensor assembly 98 has a current sensor portion 428 for generating an i_Bm current sensor signal 430 in response to the line currait at the output node B_m.

FIG. 17 shows that the error detection scheme may include a proportional and derivative ("PD") controller 432 when the MTSL controller 400 selects operation in the currait source mode. PD controller 432, may be implemented in software, hardware, or combinations thereof, as known to those skilled in the art. The PD controller 432 significantly increases the accuracy as well as response speed of die controller 398. The derivative portion of die PD controller 432 may be conveniently obtained by inserting small inductors (not shown) between die output sensor assembly 98 and the B_j, B2 and B₃ load terminals. The line-to-line voltages on both sides of tiiese inductors may be saised and die voltage differences determined to directly provide die desired derivative signals of the line currents.

The PD controller 432 provides conditioned current signals 434, representative of the output line currents i_B1, and tø, to a current summer device 436 for subtraction from the respective i_B1>REp, i^_jiEF and i^ Rfp referaice signals 426. The current summer device 436 provides a current error signal 438 to a current source switch 440 of the detector 404. For currait source operation, die currait source switch 440 must be closed, and to deactivate die voltage source mode, switch 418 must be open. When switch 440 is closed, die summer device 420 subtracts die v_Bnm sensor signal 408 from die currait error signal 438 to determine die E_Bπm output voltage error signal 422.

Referring to FIG. 19, the effect of the CL/PA modulation process on the line-to-line output waveform voltage is illustrated, for die voltage v_B12 across nodes B_j and B₂ of converter 22. The gπφh of the link current pulses i_R>B₁₂ illustrates the distribution and routing of die link current pulses i_R associated with die output at nodes B_j and B_j. The reference voltage ^VB12,REF i^{& a}*^so shown ^m FIG. 19 to illustrate the manner in which the line-to-line voltage v_B12 tracks the _B12 EF referaice waveform. The E_B12 error at one point in time is also illustrated in FIG. 19. (2) Input Power Factor Control and Buffer Inductor Current Control

The second basic function of die MTSL controller 400 is to clamp the link currait pulse peak to the value of the i_u current flowing through L_B buffer inductor 95. Referring to FIGS. 17 and 19, die input voltage error detector 406 of die error detector 402 accomplishes this second function by detecting the error of the tø currait 96 witii respect to a referaice signal 442. The reference signal 442 represents a selected value of the buffer currait which may be generated by an referaice signal generator 444. This error signal 450 provides die necessary information for the control strategy to select the T_Amn input thyristors which will carry the link currait i_R. The discussion above illustrated die principles of selecting the T_Bmn thyristors of the output switch assembly on the basis of the voltage error modulation process. The principles for selecting the T_Amn input thyristors show that a similar modulation process may be applied, except the error signal is based on die buffer current and die input currait waveforms. The MTSL controller 400 is provided witii referaice currait signal generator

442 which generates an its-REF ^ouπ^^r currait referaice signal 444. The Ϊ BJIEF reference signal 444 corresponds to a desired magnitude of the buffer current i^, which in turn corresponds to a desired peak value of the link current pulses i_R during the F-mode of operation (see FIG. 7). Alternatively, the buffer currait reference selector 442 may be located remote from the converter 22, and may be a portion of a higher level controller (not shown).

The input voltage error detector 406 receives an i^ buffer currait sensor signal 446 from the i^ current sensor 96. The i^ buffer current sensor signal 446 represents the actual i_LB currait flowing through the Lg inductor 95. The detector 406 has a summer device 448 for determining die deviation of the actual i^ current from the referaice by subtracting the i^ sensor signal 446 from the Ϊ BJIEF reference signal 444 to determine an E^ error signal 450 according to:

^ELB ⁼ 'LBJIEF " >LB

By controlling the i^ buffer current, the height of the link current pulse i_R may be controlled to any selected value J^REF- Limiting die link current i_R to a selected peak value aids in reducing die rating of the components for converter 22.

The input sensor assembly 97 has a current sensor portion 452 and a voltage sensor portion 454. The voltage sensor portion 454 generates a v_Amn line-to-line input voltage sensor signal 456 in response to die actual voltage between input lines at nodes A,,, and A„. The current sensor portion 452 generates an i^ current sensor signal 458 in response to the line currait at the input node A_m.

The detector 406 has a proportional and derivative ("PD") controller 460 which may be as described above for the PD controller 432. The PD controller 460 enhances the accuracy and response speed of die controller 398. The derivative portion of die PD controller 460 may be conveniently obtained by inserting small inductors (not shown) between the input sensor assembly 97 and die input nodes A_], A₂ and A₃. The line-to-line voltages on both sides of these inductors may be sensed and die voltage differences determined to directly provide die desired derivative signals of the line currents. The PD controller 460 provides conditioned input current signals 462, representative of die input line currents i_A1, i^ a~ ^~ -A3_* ^{to a} current summer device 464.

While the reference generator 442 may include currait referaice signals (not shown) similar to the referaice signals generated by the output referaice generator 412, die E^g buffer current error signal 450 may be used to synthesize i_B1 rø , i_B2,REF ^an<^ ΪB3,REF reference signals for the respective input currents i_A1, i^ and i^. This input currait referaice signal synthesis achieves the following two goals simultaneously:

1. Minimizing die buffer inductor current error; and

2. Controlling die power factor at the converter input nodes A_j, A₂ and A₃.

The first goal is accomplished by summer 448 of detector 406. The second goal of input power factor control is accomplished by separately synthesizing the active and reactive components of the input currents. The active referaice signal for the in-phase or active component of the input current is simply obtained from the v_Anω input voltage sensor signal 456. The signal 456 is multiplied by die E _B error signal 450 to simultaneously minimize error signal

450 and to establish an in-phase reference signal 468 for die input currait. The reactive reference signal for the out-of-phase or reactive component of the input current reference is established by first supplying die in-phase referaice signal 468 to a phase shifter device 470. The phase shifter device 470 imparts a 90° phase shift to the in-phase referaice signal 468 to generate a reactive current reference signal 472. An adjustable gain amplifier 474, with adjustable gain K, receives signal 472 from the phase shifter. The amplifier imparts gain K to signal 472 to gaierate an amplified reactive current reference signal 476 to the summer device 464. The input power factor is controlled to a selected value by adjusting die gain K. For example, unity power factor at the input of the converter 22 is achieved by setting the gain K of amplifier 474 to zero. The synthesized signals 462, 468 and 476 are used for an input voltage error detection logic scheme by providing summer 464 witii die sensor signal 456 which represents the actual input voltages. This logic scheme provides an output signal for the input voltage error detector 406 comprising an input voltage error signal 478, which is the output of the summer device 464. Thus, the input error detection logic of the detector 406 is similar to the output error detection logic scheme of detector 404 when in die currait source mode witii switch 440 closed and switch 418 open. However, the input voltage error detector 406 includes die information to control the power factor at the input of the converter 22 due to die sensor signals 456 and 458, as well as the selected buffer currait i^. The response of the buffer currait control may be improved by including a proportional, integrational and derivative ("PID") controller (not shown) between summer devices 448 and die multiplier 466. The design of PID controllers are well known to those skilled in the art.

B. Link Current Pulse Initiator The second task of the MTSL controller 400 is initiating the start of a new link current pulse i_R. Referring to FIG. 6, die MTSL controller 400 has a link current pulse initiator subcontroller portion or initiator 480 for generating an enable signal 482. The enable signal 482 is supplied, through several other portions of die MTSL controller 400, to the USGL controller 500 to initiate die start of a new link currait pulse iR. The enable signal 482 controls die duration of die zero current segmait, i.e. the initiation of the turn on signal for the * switch 88. As shown in FIG. 7, at time (3, the T_A and T_B thyristors of switch assemblies 40, 50 are turned on through zero voltage switching (ZVS). The Z-mode terminates at time t when the link current i_R begins to increase as currait flows through the T_A and T_B tiiyristors (also defined as the beginning of die initiation or I-mode). Preferably, the duration of die Z-mode is at least longer than the turn off time of the T_A and T_B tiiyristors, since the Z-mode begins witii die turning off of these main thyristors.

To maintain high efficiency at less than full load operating conditions, die duration of the zero currait segmait (Z-mode) may be made depaidait on the maximum value of the input and output voltage error signals 478, 422, which are each inputs to die initiator 480. For example, the duration of die zero currait segmait (Z-mode) may be adjusted so no new link current pulse is generated as long as both the output and input voltage error signals 422, 478 remain below a selected threshold level.

C. Link Current Pulse Distributor

The third task of the MTSL controller 400 is distributing the link currait pulse i_R among pairs of the input nodes A_j, A₂, A3, for a polyphase input, and among pairs of the output nodes B_j, B2, B₃. Referring to FIG. 6, the MTSL controller 400 has a link current pulse distributor subcontroller portion or distributor 484 which receives the enable signal 482 from the initiator portion 480, and die error signals 422 and 476 from the error detector 402.

In response to tiiese inputs and die determination scheme selected, die distributor 484 determines die distribution of each link current pulse i_R across a pair of input nodes, and across a pair of output nodes. The distributor 484 generates a node selection signal 486 to indicate which pairs of input and output nodes die distributor has determined will carry the pulse i_R. Iπφlementation of this logic using comparators and their structural equivalents is well known to those skilled in die art. The distributor 484 is die first stage in a main thyristor selection process for selecting which pairs of T_A and T_B tiiyristors of switch assemblies 40, 50 will carry the link currait pulse i_R. For exanφle, if the distributor determines die pair output nodes B2 and B₃ will carry the link currait pulse, one of two pair of thyristors may be selected to carry pulse i_R through the output switch assembly. For exanφle, current may be supplied to pair output nodes B2 and B₃ through either the pair of T_B21 and T_B32 thyristors 52, 56, or die pair of T_B22 and T^_j thyristors 55, 53. Another subcontroller (described below) executes a second and final stage of the main thyristor selection process (fourth task of the MTSL controller 400) and selects which pair of thyristors will carry the pulse i_R to nodes B₂ and B₃.

A variety of determination schemes may be used by die distributor 484 to select the input and output node pairs. For exanφle, for a polyphase converter, the distributor 484 may use a maximum voltage error criterion. Under a maximum voltage error criterion, the distributor 484 selects the output node B,, B₂, or having the greatest voltage error, and die T_B thyristors of the output switch assembly 50 are fired so link currait pulse i_R flows through the selected node. The node having the greatest voltage error may be determined from the output voltage error signal 422 output of detector 404.

The distributor 484 may also use a maximum voltage error criterion to control firing of die T_A thyristors of the input switch assembly 40 so the pulse i_R flows through the selected input node A_j, A₂ or A₃. The input voltage error signal 478, generated by detector 406, is used by die distributor 484 to determine which input node has the greatest voltage error.

In accordance with Kirchhoff s voltage law, the sum of the input line-to-line voltages is zero and die sum of the output line-to-line voltages is zero. Thus, the sum of the voltage error signals at the output, and likewise at the input, is also zero. Since the link currait pulse i_R flows through the C_A input filter capacitor assembly 26 and tiirough the C_B output filter capacitor assembly 28, the maximum voltage error criterion simultaneously minimizes the voltage errors. D. Link Current Pulse Router

The fourth task of the MTSL controller 400 is the last stage in the main thyristor selection process for selecting which pairs of the T_A thyristors of the input switch assembly 40, and which pairs of the T_B tiiyristors of die output switch assembly 50 will carry the link current pulse i_R. Referring to FIG. 6, the MTSL controller 400 has a link currait pulse router subcontroller portion or router 488 for selecting the pairs of T_A and T_B thyristors which will deliver die pulse i_R to the respective input and output nodes selected by die distributor 484. The router 488 generates a thyristor selection signal 490 to indicate which pairs of input and output tiiyristors die router has determined will carry the pulse ΪR. The pairs of main thyristors are selected by router 488 to reduce the error of die actual voltage with respect to the referaice voltage, as determined by die error detector 402.

A variety of selection schemes may be used by die router 488 to select the input and output main thyristor pairs. For example, for a polyphase converter, the router 488 may use a filter capacitor charging criterion based on a decision as to whether the capacitors of filters 26 and 28 are to be charged or discharged by die new link currait pulse i_R. This criterion may be based on the sign of the voltage error, realizing that the direction of the pulse _R through the filter capacitors depends upon which pair of thyristors are selected by router 488. Since the train of link current pulses is unipolar, die desired direction of die link current pulse through the filter capacitors 26 and 28 is established by unidirectional switches. This feature is unlike the conventional series resonant converters which require bi-directional switches to accommodate alternating link currait (AC) flow.

Consider die exanφle above, where the distributor 484 selects the pair output nodes B2 and B₃ to carry the link current pulse because the error of the line-to-line output voltage Vg23 across the output nodes B and B₃ is higher than the error of the remaining two voltages (Vg3_t and v_B12). The router 488 may select either the pair of T^_j and T^ thyristors 52, 56, or the pair of T_B22 and Tg3_j thyristors 55, 53 to carry the pulse i_R to nodes B₂ and B₃. If the voltage v_B23 across these lines is positive, but lower than the V_B23)R F reference voltage signal 416 (FIG. 17), die C_B output filter capacitor 38 must be charged to reduce die voltage error. Given the direction of the link current pulse i_R toward die load 25, the router 488 selects the T_B21 and T 32 pair of thyristors 52, 56. If the line-to-line voltage v_B23 is higher than the v_B23 R£_F referaice signal 416, thai the C_B filter capacitor 38 needs to be discharged and die otiier pair of thyristors are selected by router, i.e. die T_B22 and Tg_jj thyristors 55, 53. In general, if the sign of the voltage error Erø = v_B23ι EF - ^VB23 *^S positive, then the router 488 selects the T^_j and T_B32 pair of thyristors 52, 56. Otherwise, die router 488 selects the second pair of thyristors Tg22 and Tg3i. Basically, the router 488 routes the link current according to die sign of the voltage error signal to reduce die error, for example error Egι₂. The sign of the E_B12 error signal 422, and die sign of the line-to-line v_B12 output voltage sensor signal 408, indicate whether energy needs to be supplied to or extracted from the load terminals B_j and B₂. As shown in FIG. 19, the actual output voltage v₁₂ follows the referaice voltage V_B12_IR F ^{wnen me} distribution, timing and routing of the unipolar link currait pulses i_R to nodes B_j and B2 are as shown for the pulses i_R)Bi2 in FIG. 19.

In conclusion, the unipolar link current pulses i_R may be bi-directionally routed at the output nodes B_j and B2. For example, selecting the T_Bπ and T_B22 thyristors 51, 55 to rout the link currait JR to the output nodes B_j and B₂ forces the link current in a direction opposite to that if the T^_j and T_B12 thyristors 52, 54 were selected instead. As a result, depending on the routing of die link currait pulses ^_>Bι₂ through the output switch assembly, the output voltage v₁₂ either increases or decreases as shown in FIG. 19.

In an actual converter design, a significantly higher number of link current pulses are used than shown in FIG. 19, which has been simplified to illustrate the principles of the CL/PA modulation process. With a high number of pulses, i.e. a high link currait frequency, the actual output voltages assume smooth and near-sinusoidal waveforms with low harmonic distortion. For a polyphase output, a higher number of link currait pulses i_R are used so the pulses may be distributed to multiple pairs of output nodes. For die three phase converter

22 of FIG. 1 the unipolar link currait pulses i_R are distributed into three different link currait pulse routes:

1. i_R>B23 ^rar nodes B₂ and B₃; 2. i_{RjB 1} for nodes B₃ and _; and

3. iR _Bj for nodes B_j and B₂ (FIG. 19).

Inφlemaitation of the logic of router 488 by digital logic elemaits, well known to those skilled in the art, is preferred, although the router 488 may be implemented in hardware, software or combinations thereof known to be structurally equivalent by those skilled in the art. The router 488 may employ the same filter capacitor charging criterion and error evaluation procedure to select T_Aπm thyristor pairs of the input switch assembly 40.

E. Optional Link Driving Voltage Ivuy Limiter

The fifth task of the MTSL controller 400 is preferably executed only when die link driving voltage VJJJ for the next link currait pulse i_R is expected to be exceed a selected maximum voltage limit. Limiting the link driving voltage VJJ, controls the voltage stresses on the link components and on die tiiyristors in the input and output switch assemblies 40, 50. Referring to FIG. 6, the MTSL controller 400 has a link driving voltage limiter subcontroller portion or link voltage limiter 492 to accomplish this function. The limiter 492 generates a limited enable and selection signal 494 which is provided as an input to die USGL controller 500. The original selection of die diyristor pairs by the distributor 484 and router 488 may be overridden by the link currait limiter 492, without significantly diminishing die effectiveness of the output voltage waveform shaping and link current clamping functions.

The following discussion illustrates the principles of the preferred embodiment of die link currait limiter 492.

In the process of transferring energy through the converter 22 from cycle to cycle of the link current pulses, all of the T_A and T_B tiiyristors of switch assemblies 40, 50 are exposed to certain blocking voltages, and all link elements are also exposed to certain voltages. The maximum values of these voltages determines die voltage rating of these converter components. These maximum values are proportional to the v_u_ _aux maximum line-to-line voltages of the source 24 and die load 25, and are also proportional to the v^,^ maximum voltage across the C_R resonant capacitor 64.

For exanφle, for the three phase AC-to-AC series resonant converter 22, a v_BB maximum back-bias (cathode to anode) voltage across a T_A or a T_B thyristor at the switch assemblies 40, 50 is, in the worst case, given by:

^vBB,max ^{= v}LL,max ⁺ (^vLD,max ^{+ v}CR,maχ) ⁴ The V_CR-_ΠU maximum value of die resonant capacitor voltage occurs during the Zg-mode as shown in FIG. 7, and is given by:

^vCR,max ^{= v}LD,πux ⁺ ^Ri,R¹R,πιax

where i_R is the link currait pulse, and Z_jy _R is the characteristic inφedance of die resonant circuit formed by LR, C_R and L_It with ZR^R = [(LR + L^/CR]^"1"1* (see FIG. 14).

The maximum value of i_R is adjusted by controlling the buffer current i^ to a required peak value associated witii the maximum current drawn by the load. The i^ current is controlled by controlling the link driving voltage v^. Therefore, in viewing the two relationships above, clearly the required voltage rating of the T_A and T_B thyristors of switch assemblies 40, 50, and all the link components, may be reduced by limiting the maximum value of the link driving voltage VJJJ.

Referring to converter 22 of FIG. 1, the v_LD link driving voltage for the next pulse i_R may be determined from the difference of die v_A and v_B bus voltages (v^ = v_A - Vg). The v_A and v_B bus voltages are determined from measurements of die line-to-line voltages by sensors 452 and 410 (FIGS. 17-18) at the input and output terminals.

For effective control under all operating conditions, the VJJJ voltage is restricted to a maximum value by limiter 492 under both regular and irregular operating conditions. Several different methods may be employed by limiter 492 to control the maximum value of Vy₎.

These methods are described witii referaice to the power balance equations for the converter 22. Referring to FIG. 7, during die nonzero currait pulse segment when power is transferred through the link, the link driving voltage, V_jjj = v_A - v_B, can be assumed to be practically due to die filter capacitors 26 and 28. Multiplying both sides of this equation by the currait yields die power balance equation for the nonzero current segmait of any single link currait pulse (disregarding die losses), according to:

PLD ~ PA ^_ PB with: L_Q = Vτ_jji_R = power absorbed by the buffer inductor L_B; p_A = v_Ai_R = power generated by die source; and PB ^{= V}B'R ⁼ power absorbed by die load.

Since each unipolar link currait pulse i_R flows in the same direction, from conductor 65 to conductor 66, the link current is always positive in die power balance equations given above. The bus voltage v_A may be controlled to be positive, negative or zero by selecting certain T_A thyristors of the input switch assembly 40 to carry the link current pulse. When the T_A thyristors are selected so the bus voltage v_A is positive, thai p_A is positive and die source 24 generates energy. If the T_A thyristors are selected so v_A is negative, then p_A is likewise negative and energy is absorbed by die source 24. The T_A thyristors may be selected to short the link at the input switch assembly 40 by firing the pair of thyristors T^_j and ^~~ _Ak2_> ^ror ^ equal to 1, 2 or 3. If die link is shorted at the input switch assembly 40, thai the v_A bus voltage is zero, ρ_A is also zero, and die source 24 is prevented from participating in the energy transfer process.

Likewise, if the T_Bmn thyristors of the output switch assembly 50 are selected to carry the link currait so the v_B bus voltage, and hence p_B, are positive, negative or zero, thai the load 25 absorbs energy, generates energy, or is prevented from participating in the energy transfer process, respectively. Here, for the output switch assembly 50, the link is shorted by firing the thyristor pair T_Bkl and T_Bk2, for k equal to 1, 2 or 3. For example, if the maximum line-to-line voltage at the input and output of converter 22 is selected to be 1.0 per unit ("p.u. "), then die driving voltage V_jjj may be limited to 1.0 p.u. by shorting the link at either the input or output switch assembly 40, 50.

In transferring average energy through the converter 22, four energy transfer conditions may occur, witii two being regular and two irregular. Of the regular energy transfer conditions, the first is a forward energy transfer condition, where die source 24 generates energy which is absorbed by die load. In this first case of forward energy transfer, ρ_A, v_A, _g and v_B are all positive. The second regular energy transfer condition is a reversed energy transfer condition, during which the source 24 absorbs energy generated by the load 25. In this second case of reverse energy transfer, p_A, v_A, pg and v_B are all negative. Since the link driving voltage is defined as V_jjj = v_A - v_B, and since the values of v_A and v_B may be limited to a maximum of 1.0 p.u. (by shorting the input and output diyristor assemblies 40, 50), the link driving voltage v^ is also limited a maximum of 1.0 p.u. under die first and second regular energy transfer conditions.

Of die two irregular energy transfer conditions, die first occurs when both die source 24 and load 25 generate energy, and the second occurs when both die source and die load absorb energy. For these irregular cases, ρ_A and p_B are opposite in sign, and hence, the bus voltages v_A and v_B are likewise opposite in sign. When the v_A and v_B bus voltages have opposite signs, the link driving voltage, V_jj) = v_A - v_B, attains a maximum value of 2.0 p.u. in the worst case.

Fortunately, no significant loss of control is incurred if V_jjj is restricted to a maximum of, for exanφle, 1.0 p.u. The v^, voltage is prevaited from exceeding this maximum by selecting the T_A and T_B tiiyristors of switch assemblies 40, 50 to force either the v_A or the v_B bus voltage to zero (by shorting the link) during such irregular energy transfer conditions when ^V _LD would otherwise exceed 1.0 p.u. This prevention step may be accomplished in three different ways. First, consider die irregular case where both die source 24 and load 25 gaierate energy so v_A is positive and v_B is negative. In this case, the link driving voltage VJJJ is positive, which in turn, causes the i^ buffer inductor current to increase according to:

L_B (diL_β/dt) = v_jj.

However, to increase the i^ currait, it is not necessary to have both the source

24 and load 25 gaierate energy. A second manner of forcing the i^ currait to increase entails selecting certain of the T_A and T_B thyristors of switch assemblies 40, 50 so only die source 24 generates energy, and the load is shorted to prevent it from participating in the energy transfer process. In this case, v_A is positive and v_B zero, which forces the i^ current to increase because VLD is still positive.

Finally, a third possibility for forcing the i _B buffer inductor current to increase is to force the load 25 to generate energy while the source 24 is shorted to prevent it from participating in the energy transfer process.

Similarly, during any particular link current pulse the i_LB buffer inductor current may be forced to decrease in three ways:

1. By forcing both the source 24 and load 25 to absorb energy;

2. By forcing the source 24 to absorb energy, while shorting the load 25 to prevent it from participating in the energy transfer process; and

3. By forcing the load 25 to absorb energy while shorting the source 24 to prevent it from participating in the energy transfer process.

Since any of these three methods prevent V_jjj from exceeding 1.0 p.u, tiiere is no great loss of control of the i^ buffer inductor currait if the MTSL controller 400 applies only the second and third methods, rather than the first, for increasing or decreasing die i^g currait when VJJJ would otherwise 1.0 p.u. Thus, it is preferable to force either the source 24 or load

25 to generate or absorb energy, while the other is shorted, to control i_u and VJJJ. This logic routine may be implemented in the link voltage limiter 492 in hardware, software, or combinations thereof known to those skilled in the art. After the T_A and T_B tiiyristors are selected by die router 488, the limiter 492 checks the resulting value of the link driving voltage VLJJ = v_A - v_B. If the Vu_j v ltage exceeds 1.0 p.u., die limiter 492 modifies the T_A and T_B selection process by shorting the link with die tiiyristors at either die input switch assembly 40 or the output switch assembly 50, which forces v_A or v_B, respectively, to be zero. Thus, the limiter 492 restricts the link driving voltage v _D from exceeding a maximum of 1.0 p.u. so overvoltage damage to die link components and die main T_A and T_B tiiyristors is prevaited. CLAMPING THE RESONANCE CAPACITOR VOLTAGE

FIG. 20 illustrates an alternate embodiment of die link portion of the converters 22, 100, 200, and 300 of FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, which may be inserted between the input and output switch assemblies. For exanφle, referring to FIG. 1, converter 22 may include a double-sided and non-dissipative voltage clamping device, such as a v^ voltage clanφ 600, connected in parallel to the C_R resonant capacitor 64.

Thus, no modification of the circuits of any of the preferred embodiments of converters 22, 100, 200 or 300 is required, nor do link elements and their interconnections require any modification to include clanφ 600. While the clamp 600 is illustrated as a device separate from the synthesizer 70, it is apparent that the synthesizer of the present invention may be constructed to include die clamp 600. The clamp 600 limits the required voltage ratings of all switches and tiiyristors used in the converter 22, in addition to die protective voltage limiting feature of the link driving voltage limiter 492.

The voltage clamp 600 comprises a bridge arrangement of four diodes, specifically a first pair of D_N1 and D_N2 diodes 602 and 604, and a second pair of D_P1 and D 2 diodes 606 and 608. The clamp 600 also has two S_D1 and S_D2 controllable switches 610 and 612, referred to as discharge switches below, coupled in parallel with the respective D_P1 and D 2 diodes 606 and 608. The clanφ 600 includes a Cς capacitor 614 which may be chosen to have a capacitance significantly higher than that of the C_R resonant capacitor 64. The C_c capacitor 614 functions as a DC buffer capacitor, similar to those used in conventional DC link converters, for example PWM converters.

The clamp 600 clamps the resonant capacitor voltage V_QR to reduce die required voltage ratings of all switches and tiiyristors used in the converters of the present invention. The maximum blocking voltages of all switches and diodes in die synthesizer 70 are essentially determined by die maximum value of the resonant capacitor voltage v^. Moreover, the maximum blocking voltage of the T_A and T_B tiiyristors of switch assemblies 40, 50 depends not only upon the link driving voltage v_LD, but also upon die resonant capacitor voltage VgR- This follows from the relationship given earlier for the maximum back-bias voltages Vg _>max of the T_A and T_B tiiyristors, specifically:

^vBB,max ^{_ v}LL,max ⁺ (^v D,m__x ^{+ v}CR,maχ)^/4

where v_{f I m}._v is the maximum line-to-line voltage.

Preferably, clamping of the resonant capacitor voltage is double-sided. That is, the clamp 600 clamps both positive and negative polarities of the V_QR voltage. Double sided clamping is preferred because die resonant capacitor voltage VgR reaches a maximum positive value during die Z_s-mode of operation and a minimum negative value during die F_s-mode, as shown in FIG. 7.

To illustrate the benefit of including die v^ voltage clanφ 600, consider die maximum line-to-line voltage v_LL>max at the input and output terminals of converter 22 to be 1.0 p.u., and die maximum link2 currait i_R to be also 1.0 p.u. To assure zero voltage switching (ZVS) and/or zero current switching (ZCS), as well as to account for fluctuations in the i_LB buffer inductor current, the characteristic impedances may be selected, for instance, as ZR _R = 1.3 p.u. and ZRJ _R = 1.5 p.u. Given tiiese values, without the voltage clanφ 600 the maximum value of the resonant capacitor voltage would reach:

^vCR,max ^{= +} 2-5 p.u. during the Zς-mode; and

^vCR,max = " ²-³ P ^u- during die F_s-mode,

assuming the link driving voltage limiter 492 of FIG. 6 is included to limit the v^ link driving voltage to a maximum of 1.0 p.u. However, for successful generation of the link current pulses i_R as well as proper transfer of energy through the converter, the resonant capacitor voltage v_CR may be constrained to values only slightly higher than 1.0 p.u. to obtain a sufficient back-bias voltage for the T_A and T_B tiiyristors in switch assemblies 40, 50. For exanφle, limiting the maximum value of the resonant capacitor voltage v^nax to 1.3 p.u. is more than adequate if die maximum line-to-line voltage of 1.0 p.u. corresponds to an rms voltage of 480 V.

The principles of clamping the \_CR resonant capacitor voltage to this value of 1.3 p.u. (or any other selected value) witii the voltage clamp 600 may be illustrated as follows. Consider die C_c capacitor 614 to be precharged to a selected DC voltage v_cc of 1.3 p.u. witii the polarity as shown in FIG. 20.

The graphs of FIG. 7 show that the resonant capacitor voltage v^ rises to a maximum positive value during die T-mode. As v^ reaches 1.3 p.u., die D_P1 and D_P2 diodes 606 and 608 begin to conduct which causes the C_c buffer capacitor 614 to clanφ the resonant capacitor voltage Vg _* Likewise, as the resonant capacitor voltage VCR decreases to a negative minimum value during die I-mode, die D_NI and D_N2 diodes 602 and 604 start to conduct as V£R reaches the v_cc buffer capacitor voltage of 1.3 p.u. The clanφ 600 is automatically inactive when the magnitude of die Vς resonant capacitor voltage is less than 1.3 p.u. because all of the diodes of the clamp 600 are essentially in a currait blocking state.

When the resonant capacitor voltage v^ is clamped by the buffer capacitor voltage v_cc, the C_c buffer capacitor 614 is essentially charged by die C_R resonant capacitor 64, and over time v_cc may rise to an unacceptable voltage level. The S_D1 and S_D2 discharge switches 610 and 612 avoid this buffer capacitor voltage build-up by closing just before or simultaneously with the closing the S_r switch 88 at t_j and t_n when the Z_t-mode begins (see FIG. 7). The closing of the discharge switches 610 and 612 occurs at substantially at zero switch voltage (ZVS). When the S_D1 and S_D2 switches 610 and 612 close, the v_cc voltage of the C_c capacitor 614 is discharged into the L_B buffer inductor 95. The discharge switches 610 and 612 may be kept closed until the selected voltage level of the buffer capacitor C_c is regained, here 1.3 p.u. Opening the Sp_] and S_D2 switches again occurs at substantially zero switch voltage (ZVS), to release the clamping on the resonant capacitor voltage VςR- At this point in time, further performance of the converter may be as described above with referaice to FIG. 7. ADVANTAGES

The converter of the present invention, and particularly as illustrated by converters 22, 100, 200 and 300 of FIGS. 1-4, is cost competitive with the earlier types of static power converters without compromising the attractive features of series resonant converters in general. These features include bi-directional and four quadrant operation capabilities, power transfer from lower to higher voltages (step-up mode operation), generation of balanced sinusoidal output voltages which are insensitive to unbalanced loading, and tolerance to dynamic changes of supply voltages, to name a few.

From a comparison of the converters of FIGS. 1-4, it is apparent that the converter of the present invaition may advantageously convert DC or AC single phase input power, or polyphase input power, efficiently into DC or AC single phase output power or polyphase output power. As another advantage, die converter of the present invaition may minimize and control the peak value of the link current pulses. Minimizing the link current pulse peak value significantly reduces die cost of practically all converter conφonaits conφared witii earlier converters. For exanφle, under full load operating conditions, die converter of the present invaition may limit the ratio of die peak to the average value of die link currait pulses, so over an entire pulse cycle this ration exceeds unity by only a fraction, rather than a multiple, as experienced by die earlier converters.

As further advantage, the converter of the present invaition may minimizes the number of switches in the input and output switch assemblies 40, 50 over those required in conventional full bridge series resonant converters. Furthermore, the converter of the present invaition uses of the most cost effective type of switches in assemblies 40, 50, i.e. unidirectional, single T_A and T_B tiiyristors, rather than costly controllable turn off switches or bi-directional switches comprising pairs of unidirectional switches connected in antiparallel or anti-series. Moreover, the converter of the present invaition has no need for saturable inductors inserted in series with the input and output switches to prevent unscheduled diyristor turn on, as required with the bi-directional switches of the earlier full bridge and half bridge converters.

The converter of the present invaition is more economically constructed than earlier converters because the voltage ratings of the switches and storage elements are minimiτ«H For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 20, the converter of the present invention meets non-dissipative design criteria by limiting die maximum voltage across the resonant capacitor. This limiting feature in turn limits the maximum blocking voltage to only a fraction above the maximum line-to-line input or output voltage, rather than multiples above, as experienced witii die earlier converters. The present invention also provides a method of controlling power flow, either unidirectionally or bi-directionally, between a source 24, 124 or 224, and a load 25, 125 or 325. The illustrated method assures minimal switching losses for all converter switches by employing substantially zero current switching (ZCS) or substantially zero voltage switching (ZVS). The illustrated method of die present invention provides flexible control of the link current pulses characteristics, including pulse height, pulse widtii, and die widtii of each pulse cycle, i.e. die widtii of the zero and nonzero segmaits of each cycle are controllable. This flexible method may be used to advantageously sustain a high converter efficiency when operating the converter at less than full load conditions. Having illustrated and described die principles of my invention witii respect to several preferred embodimaits, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that my invaition may be modified in arrangemait and detail without departing from such principles. For example, other arrangements link currait synthesizers 70 and 270 may be used, as well as other arrangements of MTSL and USGL controllers, the input and output sensors, filters and switch assemblies. I claim all such modifications falling within the scope and spirit of the following claims.

Claims

1. A unipolar series resonant converter for exchanging energy between first and second circuits, comprising: first and second switch assemblies for coupling to the respective first and second circuits; a resonant tank coupled between the first and second switch assemblies, the resonant tank having a resonant capacitor and a resonant inductor in series; and a link current synthesizer coupled to die resonant capacitor, the synthesizer responsive to a synthesizer control signal for generating a link current conφrising a train of unipolar link currait pulses, with the synthesizer having a blocking switch coupled in series with die resonant capacitor for deactivating oscillation of die resonant tank in initiating each unipolar link current pulse.

2. A unipolar series resonant converter according to claim 1 wherein the link current synthesizer includes at least (me switch, with at most one switch conducting during energy exchange.

3. A unipolar series resonant converter according to claim 2 wherein the link currait synthesizer includes at least one inductor element for switching each synthesizer switch at, at least one of, zero voltage and zero current.

4. A unipolar series resonant converter according to claim 2 further including a non-dissipative voltage clamping device in parallel with the resonant capacitor for limiting die voltage of each converter switch.

5. A unipolar series resonant converter according to claim 4 wherein the voltage clamping device comprises a bridge arrangement of a first pair of diodes, a pair of controllable discharge switches each coupled in parallel with a second pair of diodes, and a DC buffer capacitor coupled to the bridge arrangemait in parallel with the resonant capacitor.

6. A unipolar series resonant converter according to claim 1 wherein the blocking switch comprises a thyristor turned off by natural commutation through resonant oscillation.

7. A unipolar series resonant converter according to claim 1 wherein the first and second switch assemblies each comprise thyristor bridges.

8. A unipolar series resonant converter according to claim 7 wherein the converter further includes a controller for generating gate signals for the thyristors of the first and second switch assemblies to turn on at substantially zero voltage and current, and to turn off by natural commutation through resonance oscillation. 9. A unipolar series resonant converter according to claim 1 wherein the synthesizer comprises at least one diode and at least one discharge switch, with each diode brought into conduction at substantially zero voltage, and each discharge switch turned on and off at substantially zero voltage. 10. A unipolar series resonant converter according to claim 1 wherein the link currait synthesizer includes a link current buffer device coupled to die synthesizer for clanφing the link current pulses.

11. A unipolar series resonant converter according to claim 1 further including: plural sensors for monitoring the link currait, and currents and voltages of the first and second circuits, with the sensors generating sensor signals in response thereto; and a controller responsive to the sensor signals for generating die synthesizer control signal.

12. A unipolar series resonant converter according to claim 1 further including a saturable inductor in series with one element of the group of elemaits conφrising the resonant inductor and die blocking switch.

13. A unipolar series resonant converter according to claim 1 wherein the resonant tank is coupled in series with the first and second switch assemblies.

14. A unipolar series resonant converter according to claim 1 wherein: the first and second switch assemblies each comprise a bridge arrangement of plural thyristors each responsive to a gate signal; first and second filter assemblies for coupling to the respective first and second circuits; die blocking switch comprises a thyristor turned off by natural commutation through resonant oscillation; the link currait synthesizer includes: at least one discharge switch, with at most one discharge switch conducting during energy exchange, with each discharge switch turned on and off at substantially zero voltage; at least one diode, witii each diode brought into conduction at substantially zero voltage; a link current buffer device coupled to die synthesizer;and at least one inductor element for switching each synthesizer switch at times of, at least one of, zero voltage and zero currait; the converter also includes a non-dissipative voltage clanφing device in parallel with die resonant capacitor for limiting the voltage of the plural converter switches, the voltage clanφing device conφrising a bridge arrangement of a first pair of diodes, a pair of controllable discharge switches each coupled in parallel with a second pair of diodes, and a DC buffer capacitor coupled to die clamping bridge arrangement in parallel with die resonant capacitor; and the converter further includes a controller for generating gate signals for the tiiyristors of the first and second switch assemblies to turn on at substantially zero voltage and currait, and to turn off by natural commutation through resonance oscillation.

15. A unipolar series resonant converter according to claim 14 wherein the resonant tank is coupled in series with the first and second switch assemblies.

16. A unipolar series resonant converter according to claim 1 wherein the resonant tank is coupled in parallel with the first and second switch assemblies.

17. A unipolar series resonant converter according to claim 16 wherein: the first and second circuits comprise grounded systems sharing a common neutral potential; the converter further includes a first shorting thyristor for selectively coupling the resonant tank to the neutral potential, and a second shorting thyristor for selectively coupling the blocking switch to the neutral potential. 18. A unipolar series resonant converter according to claim 1 wherein:: the first circuit comprises a DC system having two conductors; die converter further includes a first terminating capacitor filter for coupling across the two DC conductors of the first circuit; and die first switch assembly comprises a first thyristor for coupling in series with DC conductor of die first circuit, and a free-wheeling diode for coupling across the two DC conductors.

19. A unipolar series resonant converter according to claim 1 wherein the first circuit comprises an AC system, and die first switch assembly comprises: a diode bridge assembly having a DC output witii two DC bridge output conductors, and an AC input for coupling to the first circuit; a first terminating capacitor filter for coupling across the two bridge output conductors; and a first thyristor for coupling in series with one bridge output conductor, and a free-wheeling diode for coupling across the two bridge output conductors. 20. A unipolar series resonant converter for exchanging energy between first and second circuits, comprising: first and second switch assemblies for coupling to the respective first and second circuits; a resonant tank coupled between the first and second switch assemblies, the resonant tank having a resonant capacitor and a resonant inductor in series; a link currait synthesizer coupled to die resonant capacitor, the synthesizer responsive to a synthesizer control signal for gaierating a link current conφrising a train of unipolar link current pulses, with each pulse conφrising a nonzero currait segmait and adjacait pulses separated by a zero current segmait, the zero and nonzero current segmaits being controllable in duration; and a blocking switch in series with the resonant capacitor.

21. A unipolar series resonant converter according to claim 20 wherein the link current synthesizer includes at least one switch, with at most one switch conducting during energy exchange.

22. A unipolar series resonant converter according to claim 21 wherein the link currait synthesizer includes at least one inductor elemait for switching each synthesizer switch at, at least one of, zero voltage and zero currait. 23. A unipolar series resonant converter according to claim 21 further including a non-dissipative voltage clamping device in parallel with the resonant capacitor for limiting the voltage of each converter switch.

24. A unipolar series resonant converter according to claim 23 wherein the voltage clamping device comprises a bridge arrangemait of a first pair of diodes, a pair of controllable discharge switches each coupled in parallel with a second pair of diodes, and a DC buffer capacitor coupled to die bridge arrangement in parallel with the resonant capacitor.

25. A unipolar series resonant converter according to claim 20 wherein die blocking switch comprises a thyristor turned off by natural commutation through resonant oscillation. 26. A unipolar series resonant converter according to claim 20 wherein the first and second switch assemblies each comprise thyristor bridges.

27. A unipolar series resonant converter according to claim 26 wherein the converter further includes a controller for generating gate signals for the thyristors of the first and second switch assemblies to turn on at substantially zero voltage and current, and to turn off by natural commutation through resonance oscillation.

28. A unipolar series resonant converter according to claim 20 wherein the synthesizer comprises at least one diode and at least one discharge switch, with each diode brought into conduction at substantially zero voltage, and each discharge switch turned on and off at substantially zero voltage. 29. A unipolar series resonant converter according to claim 20 wherein the link currait synthesizer includes a link currait buffer device coupled to die synthesizer for clamping the link currait pulses.

30. A unipolar series resonant converter according to claim 20 further including: plural sensors for monitoring the link currait, and currents and voltages of the first and second circuits, with the saisors generating sensor signals in response thereto; and a controller responsive to the sensor signals for generating the synthesizer control signal.

31. A unipolar series resonant converter according to claim 20 further including a saturable inductor in series with one elemait of the group of elemaits comprising the resonant inductor and die blocking switch.

32. A unipolar series resonant converter according to claim 20 wherein die resonant tank is coupled in series with die first and second circuits. 33. A unipolar series resonant converter according to claim 20 wherein: the first and second switch assemblies each comprise a bridge arrangement of plural thyristors each responsive to a gate signal; first and second filter assemblies for coupling to the respective first and second circuits; the blocking switch comprises a thyristor turned off by natural commutation through resonant oscillation; the link current synthesizer includes: at least one discharge switch, with at most one discharge switch conducting during energy exchange, with each discharge switch turned on and off at substantially zero voltage; at least one diode, witii each diode brought into conduction at substantially zero voltage; a link current buffer device coupled to die synthesizer;and at least one inductor element for switching each synthesizer switch at times of, at least one of, zero voltage and zero currait; the converter also includes a non-dissipative voltage clamping device in parallel with the resonant capacitor for limiting the voltage of the plural converter switches, the voltage clanφing device comprising a bridge arrangemait of a first pair of diodes, a pair of controllable discharge switches each coupled in parallel with a second pair of diodes, and a DC buffer capacitor coupled to die clamping bridge arrangemait in parallel with the resonant capacitor: and die converter further includes a controller for generating gate signals for the thyristors of the first and second switch assemblies to turn on at substantially zero voltage and currait, and to turn off by natural commutation through resonance oscillation. 34. A unipolar series resonant converter according to claim 33 wherein the resonant tank is coupled in series with die first and second circuits.

35. A unipolar series resonant converter according to claim 20 wherein the resonant tank is coupled in parallel with die first and second circuits.

36. A unipolar series resonant converter according to claim 35 wherein: the first and second circuits comprise grounded systems sharing a common neutral potential; the converter further includes a first shorting diyristor for selectively coupling the resonant tank to the neutral potential, and a second shorting thyristor for selectively coupling the blocking switch to the neutral potential. 37. A unipolar series resonant converter according to claim 20 wherein: the first circuit comprises a DC system having two conductors; die converter further includes a first terminating capacitor filter for coupling across the two DC conductors of the first circuit; and the first switch assembly comprises a first thyristor for coupling in series with DC conductor of die first circuit, and a free-wheeling diode for coupling across the two DC conductors.

38. A unipolar series resonant converter according to claim 20 wherein the first circuit comprises an AC, and die first switch assembly comprises: a diode bridge assembly having a DC output with two DC bridge output conductors, and an AC input for coupling to the first circuit; a first terminating capacitor filter for coupling across the two bridge output conductors; and a first thyristor for coupling in series with one bridge output conductor, and a free-wheeling diode for coupling across the two bridge output conductors.

39. A unipolar series resonant converter for exchanging energy between first and second circuits, comprising: first and second switch assemblies for coupling to the respective first and second circuits; a resonant tank for coupling together the first and second circuits; a link current synthesizer coupled to die resonant tank, the synthesizer responsive to a synthesizer control signal for generating a link current; and a link current buffer device coupled to die synthesizer for clanφing the link currait to a selected value during energy exchange.

40. A unipolar series resonant converter according to claim 39 wherein the link currait synthesizer includes at least one switch, with at most one switch conducting during energy exchange.

41. A unipolar series resonant converter according to claim 40 wherein the link currait synthesizer includes at least one inductor element for switching each synthesizer switch at, at least one of, zero voltage and zero current.

42. A unipolar series resonant converter according to claim 40 further including a non-dissipative voltage clamping device in parallel with the resonant capacitor for limiting the voltage of each converter switch. 43. A unipolar series resonant converter according to claim 42 wherein the voltage clamping device comprises a bridge arrangemait of a first pair of diodes, a pair of controllable discharge switches each coupled in parallel with a second pair of diodes, and a DC buffer capacitor coupled to die bridge arrangemait in parallel with die resonant capacitor.

44. A unipolar series resonant converter according to claim 39 wherein the first and second switch assemblies each comprise thyristor bridges.

45. A unipolar series resonant converter according to claim 44 wherein the converter further includes a controller for generating gate signals for the tiiyristors of the first and second switch assemblies to turn on at substantially zero voltage and currait, and to turn off by natural commutation through resonance oscillation.

46. A unipolar series resonant converter according to claim 39 wherein the synthesizer comprises at least one diode and at least one discharge switch, with each diode brought into conduction at substantially zero voltage, and each discharge switch turned on and off at substantially zero voltage,

47. A unipolar series resonant converter according to claim 39 wherein the converter further includes a blocking switch coupled in series with die resonant capacitor.

48. A unipolar series resonant converter according to claim 47 further including a saturable inductor in series with one elemait of the group of elements conφrising the resonant inductor and die blocking switch.

49. A unipolar series resonant converter according to claim 39 wherein the 47 blocking switch comprises a thyristor turned off by natural commutation through resonant oscillation.

50. A unipolar series resonant converter according to claim 39 further including: plural sensors for monitoring the link currait, and currents and voltages of the first and second circuits, with the sensors generating sensor signals in response thereto; and a controller responsive to the sensor signals for generating the synthesizer control signal. 51. A unipolar series resonant converter according to claim 39 wherein the resonant tank is coupled in series with the first and second circuits.

52. A unipolar series resonant converter according to claim 39 wherein: the first and second switch assemblies each comprise a bridge arrangemait of plural thyristors each responsive to a gate signal; first and second filter assemblies for coupling to the respective first and second circuits; the link currait synthesizer includes: at least one discharge switch, with at most one discharge switch conducting during energy exchange, with each discharge switch turned on and off at substantially zero voltage; at least one diode, witii each diode brought into conduction at substantially zero voltage; a link currait buffer device coupled to die synthesizer;and at least one inductor elemait for switching each synthesizer switch at times of, at least one of, zero voltage and zero currait; the converter also includes a non-dissipative voltage clamping device in parallel with the resonant capacitor for limiting the voltage of the plural converter switches, the voltage clanφing device comprising a bridge arrangement of a first pair of diodes, a pair of controllable discharge switches each coupled in parallel with a second pair of diodes, and a DC buffer capacitor coupled to die claπφing bridge arrangement in parallel with the resonant capacitor; and die converter further includes a controller for generating gate signals for the thyristors of the first and second switch assemblies to turn on at substantially zero voltage and currait, and to turn off by natural commutation through resonance oscillation.

53. A unipolar series resonant converter according to claim 52 wherein the resonant tank is coupled in series with the first and second circuits.

54. A unipolar series resonant converter according to claim 39 wherein the resonant tank is coupled in parallel with the first and second circuits. 55. A unipolar series resonant converter according to claim 54 wherein: the first and second circuits comprise grounded systems sharing a common neutral potential; the converter further includes a blocking switch coupled in series to the resonant capacitor, and a first shorting thyristor for selectively coupling the resonant tank to the neutral potential, and a second shorting thyristor for selectively coupling the blocking switch to the neutral potential.

56. A unipolar series resonant converter according to claim 39 wherein: the first circuit comprises a DC system having two conductors; the converter further includes a first terminating capacitor filter for coupling across the two DC conductors of die first circuit; and die first switch assembly comprises a first thyristor for coupling in series with DC conductor of the first circuit, and a free-wheeling diode for coupling across the two DC conductors.

57. A unipolar series resonant converter according to claim 39 wherein the first circuit comprises an AC system, and die first switch assembly comprises: a diode bridge assembly having a DC output witii two DC bridge output conductors, and an AC input for coupling to the first circuit; a first terminating capacitor filter for coupling across the two bridge output conductors; and a first thyristor for coupling in series with one bridge output conductor, and a free-wheeling diode for coupling across the two bridge output conductors.

58. A method of converting power between first and second circuits, conφrising the steps of: synthesizing a link currait comprising a train of substantially squarewave unipolar link current pulses which are initiated and terminated through resonant oscillations, with each pulse having a zero amplitude segment and a nonzero amplitude segmait; and controlling the duration of zero amplitude segment and die nonzero amplitude segment of each link current pulse. 59. A method of exchanging energy according to claim 58 wherein: the method further includes die step of switching a plurality of switches coupling together the first and second circuits; and die controlling step conφrises controlling the switching step for switching the plurality of switches at substantially zero voltage and zero currait.

60. A method of exchanging energy according to claim 58 wherein the synthesizing step comprises synthesizing the link current using a closed loop modulation technique.

61. A method of exchanging energy according to claim 58 wherein the synthesizing step comprises synthesizing the link current for operating in an adjustable currait mode.

62. A method of exchanging energy according to claim 58 wherein the synthesizing step conφrises synthesizing the link current for operating in an adjustable voltage mode. 63. A method of exchanging energy according to claim 58, further including die step of limiting the amplitude of each link currait pulse to a selected value.

64. A method of exchanging energy according to claim 58, wherein limiting step comprises limiting the anφlitude of each link current pulse to a selected value of less than 1.5 per unit based upon a rated maximum currait of one of the first and second circuits. 65. A method of exchanging energy according to claim 58, wherein the controlling step conφrises allowing bi-directional flow of power between the first and second circuits.

66. A method of exchanging energy according to claim 58, wherein the controlling step comprises allowing power flow from a lower voltage level to a higher voltage level of the first and second circuits.

67. A method of exchanging energy according to claim 58 wherein: the synthesizing step comprises synthesizing the link currait using a closed loop modulation technique; the method further includes die steps of: limiting the anφlitude of each link currait pulse to a selected value to a selected value of less than 1.5 per unit based upon a rated maximum current of one of the first and second circuits; and switching a plurality of switches coupling together the first and second circuits; and die controlling step comprises the steps of: providing bi-directional flow of power between the first and second circuits from a lower voltage level to a higher voltage level of the first and second circuits; and controlling the switching step for switching the plurality of switches at substantially zero voltage and zero currait. 68. A method of exchanging energy according to claim 59, wherein the controlling step comprises the step of limiting voltage across each of the plurality of switches. 69. A link current synthesizer for coupling a series combination of a resonant capacitor, a resonant inductor, and a blocking switch with a link currait buffer device for a unipolar series resonant converter, the resonant capacitor and resonant inductor coupled together at a first junction, the resonant capacitor and blocking switch coupled together at a second junction, the link currait synthesizer conφrising: first, second and third nodes; an initiating switch for coupling the first junction to the buffer device at the first node; a buffer switch coupled to die first node; and an initiation inductor coupled to die buffer switch for initiating the link current through resonant oscillation.

70. A link current synthesizer according to claim 69 for a converter having a blocking switch conφrising a diode, wherein: die initiating and buffer switches each comprise a thyristor; and die initiation inductor is coupled to die second junction. 71. A link current synthesizer according to claim 69 for a converter having a blocking switch conφrising a thyristor, wherein: the buffer switch is coupled between die first and second nodes; die initiation inductor is coupled to die link current buffer device and die blocking switch at the third node; the synthesizer further comprises: a buffer diode coupling the initiation inductor to die initiating switch at the second node; a terminating diode coupled to the second node for coupling to the second junction; and a series connected terminating inductor and terminating thyristor, with the terminating thyristor coupled to die second node, and die terminating inductor for coupling to the first junction.

72. A controller for controlling switches of a unipolar series resonant converter having a series combination of a resonant capacitor, a resonant inductor, and a blocking switch, coupled to a link current buffer device by a link current synthesizer for exchanging energy between first and second circuits, die converter having at least one switch assembly coupled to one of the first and second circuits, the converter including sensors for monitoring current flowing through the buffer device, the voltage and current of the power received from one of the first and second circuits, and the voltage and currait delivered to the other thereof, the controller conφrising: an output reference signal device for providing an output voltage reference signals corresponding to a selected value for the delivered voltage; an output voltage error detector for comparing the monitored output voltage with die output voltage reference signal and providing an output voltage error signal in response thereto; a buffer current reference signal device for providing a buffer currait referaice signal corresponding to a selected value for a buffer current flowing tiirough the buffer device; an input voltage error detector for generating an input voltage error signal in response to the monitored input voltage and current, die monitored buffer currait and die buffer current reference signal; a link current pulse initiator for generating an enable signal in response to the output voltage error signal and input voltage error signal; a link currait pulse distributor for generating a node selection signal in response to the input and output voltage error signals, and die enable signal; a link currait pulse router for generating a switch selection signal in response to the input and output voltage error signals, enable signal, and die node selection signal; and a unipolar series resonant converter switch gate logic portion responsive to the switch selection signal for generating a plurality of gate signals for controlling the blocking switch, the link current synthesizer, and die switch assembly.